How to go
What: 49th annual Mid-Eastern Regional Fly-in
Where: Grimes Field (I 74), 1636 N. Main St., Urbana
When: 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 21; 8 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 22; 8 a.m. to noon Sunday, Aug. 23
Admission: $5 a person; free for children ages 11 and younger
More info: call 937-726-0845 or go to www.merfiurbana.com
They’ll come in on wings and wheels to Grimes Field this weekend. The 49th Mid-Eastern Regional Fly-in (MERFI) at Urbana’s Grimes Field will have activities on the ground and in the air.
The three-day celebration of classic aviation will open at 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 21, and go through noon Sunday, Aug. 23, with the chance to see classic aircraft and cars, races, food and other entertainment.
“We want to bring back the golden age of flight and promote aviation history,” said Eddie Noble, president of the Mid-Eastern Regional Fly-in. “This is something for the community, a chance to experience hometown hospitality.”
The event will begin Friday with the arrival of several hundred classic aircraft, and food and drink vendors will be available.
Saturday and Sunday open with pancake breakfasts at 8 a.m.
New items Noble is excited about include J-3 Cub vintage military trainer planes. Attendees can ride in one of the planes for $30.
“It’s one of the most recognized crafts in the world,” he said. “You can fly over Urbana and get a scenic view of our city and lakes.”
Another new trend on the ground will be a demonstration of drift trikes. Noble described it as a child’s Big Wheel riding toy with motor.
Other new highlights will include an FAA safety seminar and metal fabrication seminar on how to form and shape metal.
Noble emphasized the chance to see B-25 aircraft and experience the Grimes Flying Lab and Champaign Aviation Museum on Saturday.
Other Saturday activities will include a cruise-in and an aircraft race at 11 a.m.
“These guys are very serious about the race,” Noble said.
While Noble thinks this will be a great weekend, there’s also excitement building for next year’s landmark 50th annual MERFI event.
“We’re looking at different aircraft and hope to have a record year in 2016,” he said.
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