Family Fun and Flight Day returns

Aviation enthusiasts have more than one reason to be excited this week.

Shortly after the Maid in the Shade B-25 bomber lands in Medicine Hat today, the annual Family Fun and Flight day will run from 1-6 p.m. at the airport.

“This is an open house for the whole family,” said organizer Dave Rozdeba. “We’re going to have some great military and civilian aircraft to show off, as well as a number of food trucks at the event so people can grab a bite to eat.”

Rozdeba said one of the biggest attractions are the $25 rides with Super-T Aviation.

“These rides are about 15 minutes and take people right over the city,” he said. “It’s a great way to see the city from a whole new perspective at a very low price.”

The event will be running whether it is raining or sunny out, but thunderstorms would put an end to the event.

The open house runs biannually now, and has seen great growth since the first year in 2009.

“The response in our first year was so great, we knew we had to bring it back,” he said. “We run it every second year now to make it easier on the volunteers, and everyone else involved. We’re really looking forward to Monday.”

Rozdeba said the event is for everyone, but hopes some Hat children can make a connection with aviation that could last a lifetime.

“A big part of this really is about the kids,” he said. “They come out, maybe meet a pilot, touch an airplane and it may have a huge impact on them. When they’re older it can then possibly lead to studying and working in the field.”