WILLIAMSTOWN -With less than a month to go, the 2012 Air Expo organizers are working to get things ready.
"We are rolling into the final stages," said co-chair of the event Donna Rusche. "We're still taking sponsors and are looking for more volunteers."
There will be a meeting in the general aviation building at the Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Airport at 7 p.m. Wednesday. People who wish to volunteer for the Oct. 14 event are encouraged to attend the meeting.
This year's air show is expected to be different from the previous events at the airport with new performers, food vendors and shuttle locations.
"We wanted to offer different things to appeal to everyone," Rusche said.
Performers will include wing walker Jane Wicker, the Iron Eagles, an aerobatic team and Kirk Wicker, who performs as the "flying farmer." There will also be the Trojan Horsemen, Sky Soldiers and remote controllers Sky Sharks.
In years past, the only food vendor has been Cowboy Concessions, which will be back, but Rusche said the idea to bring in Mexican, Indian, Pilipino and dessert vendors was to offer more.
"Cowboy Concessions is great, but we have been hearing complaints about how long the lines were with only one food vendor, so this year we decided to allow the community to sample the world at the air show," Rusche said.
To appeal to children, there will be a Kidz Zone with "Adventures in Aviation" inflatables, a climbing wall and other aviation-oriented activities.
"Starting on the South ramp we will have show exhibitors, the kids zone, vendors, historic aircraft and military vehicles as well as car shows," Rusche said. "There will be something for everyone to enjoy."
To allow as many people to attend the event as possible, there will be several shuttle points on both sides of the Ohio River.
Shuttles will begin running at 9 a.m. with park and ride locations being at West Virginia University at Parkersburg, the Williamstown Welcome Center, Marietta High School, the parking lot at Second and Butler streets in Marietta and the Marietta Kroger parking lot near the visitor's information center.
People must park in the designated areas, as these groups have been kind enough to allow air show viewers to park at their facilities, Rusche said.
"The 2012 Air Expo is an aviation-related community event that allows families to enjoy what the airport has to offer," Rusche said. "It's something that opens up the airport and aviation to everyone."
Those interested in being a sponsor or volunteer for the event are encouraged to visit the 2012 Air Expo website at www.movairshow.com or e-mail directors Rusche and Mark Ruff at infor@movairshow.com.
