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‘Wings Over Wheeling’ Event Planned at Airport

By JOSELYN KING 2 min read

Ohio County is hosting its first-ever car and vintage aircraft show later this month at the Wheeling-Ohio County Airport.

The event is set to soar from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sept. 24 at the airport.

Wheeling-Ohio County Airport Manager Russell Escue addressed county commissioners this week, telling of the planned events.

Among the aircraft coming to the airport is a World War II C-47 "Whiskey 7" cargo plant, and a C-123 K Provider "Thunder Pig" that flew during the Vietnam War. There will also be vintage cars and trucks on site, as well as food vendors.

Escue hinted there could be some additional military vehicles on-site, such as a Blackhawk helicopter.

The event is going to be similar to last year's 9/11 event that took place there, explained Ohio County Commissioner Zach Abraham. It is estimated that as many as 600 attended the commemoration ceremony.

The 2022 event is all about vehicles and family time, he continued. There will be activities for children, such as a rock-climbing wall.

"Hopefully, the weather cooperates," Abraham said. "We're excited because we want to make sure we continue to use the airport as a focal point for the county.

"The last time, some people said they didn't realize it (the airport) was even there, so we're going to continue to have an event or two there each year."

Other organizations and businesses also are welcome to plan happenings at the airport, he continued.

"We are working on how to more activate the airport and develop it further," Abraham said. "We have been having conversations with lots of organizations about how best to do that."

He expects there could be an educational component added there, such as a flight school.

"We're working on some avenues with that," Abraham continued. "We're looking at some flight school options. We're having conversations with some educational institutions, and also some private groups.

"It will be a huge benefit if we can get that running along."

He noted that last year's event "was special" in that it commemorated the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on America.

This year's event will be shorter, and there are no fireworks in the evening. No runways are being closed at the airport for the activities.

"We all agreed last year's event was too long," Abraham said. "We're all excited about that."

Starting at /week.