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Artist defends title in Fairborn jet decoration competition

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By Pamela Dillon, Contributing Writer 5:58 PM Friday, August 27, 2010

During the 14th annual U.S. Air Force Marathon on Sept. 18, some 3,000 runners will jog past 89 decorated jets along the route on Main, Central and Broad streets in Fairborn.

“This is the second year for the event. There were 56 jets last year, so the program is growing,” said project chairman and Schwartz Jewelry owner Pete Bates. “A lot of downtown merchants and individuals are participating. It’s an easy fit, since Fairborn is associated with the U.S. Air Force.”

These are the same airplane “canvases” that are being used for the downtown Dayton display. The 41-inch plastic replicas of jet airplanes, displayed on flagpoles, are manufactured at Fox Lite, Inc. in Fairborn. Participants purchase the models at a cost of $225 each.

One of those participants is Jeffrey Templeton, who won first place in the adult category for his painted image of Fairborn’s downtown Memorial Flagpole. His entry this year is a realistic image of the Wright Brothers and one of their first gliders.

“I spent about 12 hours working on the Wright Brothers entry for this year,” said Templeton, who majored in art at Indiana University. “I think if people have the ability to draw or paint, they should get involved and do more to help the community. It’s also a great way to show your artwork.”

Other jets observed along the route include one outside of Foy’s that shows an eerie graveyard, a Kinderhaus entry covered with children’s blue handprints, and of course many with a patriotic theme. Prizes are also awarded for the decorated jets in professional and youth categories. The winners will be announced Sept. 20.

The city invited Fairborn residents to enter the contest with a $40 donation and display of their jet airplane in their front yards. In addition to being the home of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, the city is located only three miles from Wright Field, where the Wright brothers trained and experimented with flight.

“The planes are a wonderful addition to our downtown,” Fairborn community development director Pat Higgins said. “Our many visitors, including the Air Force marathon runners, have commented on the fantastic airplanes. We are so proud of our planes.”

Contact visual arts correspondent Pamela Dillon at pamdillon@woh.rr.com.