Aero Carnival celebrates Wright Brothers at Huffman Prairie

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Through activities and displays, the eighth Great Wright Brothers Aero Carnival, set for Sept. 9 from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Huffman Prairie Flying Field, will provide a glimpse back into the time of the Wrights and the present and future of aviation and aeronautical research.

Huffman Prairie Flying Field is where Wilbur and Orville Wright developed the world’s first practical airplane and taught themselves to fly between 1904 and 1905. It is where the Wright Company taught hundreds to fly between 1910 and 1916. Today the flying field is part of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, and the event will help celebrate Wilbur Wright Field and McCook Field, predecessors to the base. There will be a number of exhibits focused on base history and its current activities.

The flying field can be reached by using Gate 16A/H Street off Ohio 444 to get to Hebble Creek Drive.

The free event is the public’s chance to explore the field and learn about early flight. With a flight simulator of the 1911 Wright Model B airplane, aircraft on static display and flying overhead, participants can experience activities designed for people of all ages.

The carnival is sponsored by Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park and the 88th Air Base Wing, Wright-Patterson AFB.

There will be balloon animals, bouncy houses and carnival games for the little ones and the screening of several historic aviation-related films. Building and launching model rockets also will be part of the fun.

Other scheduled activities and exhibits include:

For more information, contact the national park service at 937-225-7705 or access the park website at www.nps.gov/daav.

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