There is still half a day to check it out...
www.wingsandwheelssc.com

Young and old alike find plenty to admire at Wings & Wheels
By MARY CALDWELL, For The Herald-Journal
Published June 3, 2007
Crowds of young and old lined up in cars at the Spartanburg Downtown Memorial Airport Saturday even before the second annual Wings & Wheels weekend got under way.
From children excitedly pointing to the sky as airplanes flew overhead to older men swapping aviation stories, the event was a chance for spectators to see planes up close and even talk to the pilots.
Many planes, including the A-26 Invader, P-149 Focke Wulf and P-51 Mustang, are at the event, as well as gliders from the Carolina Soaring Association. They are scheduled to fly several times throughout the weekend. A B-25 bomber was scheduled to fly in, but weather kept it grounded, at least temporarily, in Georgia early Saturday morning.
Food and rides, too
Military vehicles are on display, and attendees also can try their hand at an F-18 Hornet simulator flying game for $10 or enjoy food and rides.
Alan Sands of Boiling Springs brought his son, Will, 7, who might want to be a helicopter pilot when he grows up.
"I want to show him old and new airplanes and keep him interested in technology in general," Sands said.
The desire to expose younger people to aviation also played a part in Norbert Steinwedel's decision to fly his plane from Charlotte, N.C., as he did last year. He bought his plane from the Swiss Air Force in 1995 and worked for more than two years to restore it. He now flies to air shows, hoping to spread the hobby that he has enjoyed for 35 years.
Paul Camp of Spartanburg said he enjoyed the planes and cars equally, finding both appealing because of their common themes of power and styling. He said he felt a sense of hometown pride and was impressed that the event was important enough for Tuskegee Airmen to attend.
Members of the Sparkle City Antique Car Club brought 33 cars to the event, five of which are owned by club president C.C. Wheeler.
"I've been into cars all my life," he says. "I have five cars here and 11 more at home."
He spent four years lovingly restoring the 1948 Chrysler convertible he brought to the event.
"That's four years - not off and on, but four years," he said.
Jane Warner, festival coordinator of the city of Spartanburg, said she thought the event was a wonderful opportunity for parents and grandparents to share with children.
"I think this is one of the ways our young people learn to respect our military," she said.
Warner said Wings & Wheels helps showcase the downtown airport, which was the first commercial airport in the state.
Continues today
Attendance at last year's event was almost 10,000, Warner said. With good weather, she is optimistic that even more people will attend this year.
Tickets for Wings & Wheels are $5 for adults, $3 for students, youth younger than 18 and seniors older than 55. Children 3 and under are admitted free. The event continues from noon until 6 p.m. today. For more information, visit www.wingsandwheelssc.com.