Kevin Boozer
Staff Writer
WINNSBORO — The Wings and Wheels Festival has moved back to its traditional time of year this year, the Saturday before Mother’s Day.
Held at the Fairfield County Airport at 1291 Runway Road in Winnsboro from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the festival is sponsored by the Fairfield County Aeronautics Commission and funded by Fairfield County.
This year includes vintage aircraft, Huey and Cobra helicopters, a T-6 Trainer aircraft, and also helicopter and fixed wing rides. The helicopter and plane rides are available for a fee. There is no admission charge for Wings and Wheels, though.
The wheels part of the festival includes a cruise-in car show with dash plaques for the first 50 cars. Coordinated by Sam Edenfield, there is no charge to enter and a People’s Choice Award will be given. Also using its wheels in celebration is the South Carolina Railroad Museum, offering a free train ride at 1:30 p.m.
Food vendors and arts and crafts vendors will be on site. Fairfield County’s Chris Reed will be the deejay for the event.
The Lake Murray Regional Remote Control Airplane Club should be a big draw. They have a display of 30 planes and demonstrations at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
“They were there last year. Those clubs have a tremendous following,” said Susan Yenner with the Fairfield County Chamber of Commerce.
The festival was held in 2009 but not in 2010 or 2011. Last year the festival resumed though it was later due to availability of some of the pilots. The event has changed over the years. Before wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, they could get military planes but then they found new exhibits such as J.A.A.R.S., a group who fly missionaries into the jungle.
“They in the past have done a demonstration of short runway takeoffs and landings. It’s amazing to watch. They set that plane down and they stop it,” said Yenner.
Admission and parking are free at the event and event-goers are invited to free ice cream provided by Farm Bureau.
Contact Kevin Boozer at 635-4016 ext. 14 or kboozer@civitasmedia.com and follow him on Twitter at @kevinboozer.
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