WILLIAMSTOWN -After months of planning, the 2012 Air Expo at the Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Airport is just around the corner.
"It's a busy week," said event co-chair Donna Rusche.
On Sunday, there will be many new and different things at this year's air show from previous such events at the airport, she added.
"We wanted to offer different things to attract more community members," Rusche said. "We have a great day of events planned and hope everyone comes to enjoy it."
Those new items include new performers, food vendors, shuttle locations and a children's area.
"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.
Fact Box
Air Expo 2012 schedule
11:50 a.m.: Pipes and Drums of St. Andrews.
Noon: Opening Ceremonies, including MCL Color Guard;, Invocation by Dr. Harold Shank, president of Ohio Valley University; Nancy Hill will sing the National Anthem; guests will include Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin, U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va.; U.S. Rep. Bill Johnson, R-Ohio; and Lt. Commander Page Felini of the United States Navy.
12:40 p.m.: Jump Plane Takes Off.
12:50 p.m.: Jack Knutson Ohio Valley Sky Jumpers - Jack Knutson Circle Jumpers - God Bless America.
1:10 p.m.: Jack Knutson MX-2 Aerobatics.
1:30 p.m.: Pat Williams - Radio Control Jets.
1:50 p.m.: Curt Arnspiger - Saeta jet Aerobatics.
2:10 p.m.: Jane Wicker & Aurora Stearman Wing Walker.
2:30 p.m.: Team RV - Worlds Largest Aerobatic Team.
2:50 p.m.: Stearman Demonstration.
3:10 p.m.: Blennerhasset Radio Control Aircraft, WingNutz and SkySharks.
3:30 p.m.: Curt Arnspiger - Saeta Jet Aerobatics.
3:50 p.m.: Team RV - Missing Man Formation.
4:15 p.m.: Ohio Valley Skydivers.
4:45 p.m.: Fanfare.
New 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 event included only one food vendor, but to appease people and keep the lines down, Cowboy Concessions will be joined by other vendors, such as Mexican, Indian, Filipino and desserts to offer more.
To appeal to children, there will be a Kidz Zone with "Adventures in Aviation" inflatables, a climbing wall and other aviation-oriented activities.
"There was never an area for kids to have fun and learn about aviation, so we decided to have this new area," Rusche said.
In order 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 9:30 a.m. with park and ride locations being at West Virginia University at Parkersburg, the Williamstown Welcome Center, the parking lot at Second and Butler streets in Marietta and the Marietta Kroger parking lot near the visitors 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.
While admission to the air show is free, people going through the gate are subject to search to ensure the safety of all involved.
The 2012 Air Expo will happen rain or shine, Rusche said.
"Living in the Mid-Ohio Valley, rain is just part of the experience," she added.
For more information visit the 2012 Air Expo website at http://www.movairshow.
com.
