Mexico Airfest Mexico, MO August 28, 2010

Photography and brief by Carmelo Turdo

The Mexico, MO Regional Airport Airfest Salute to Veterans was held on August 28, 2010. The weather was perfect, with a cloudless blue sky, and the event was held country fair-style. The afternoon air show provided the entertainment hook, but the goal was more lofty: raise money for the local veterans home. The mostly local crowd began arriving around 9:00am and gathered around the ramp to observe the morning aerial activity – sponsor rides with the air show performers. Also, 2 Stearman biplanes from Creve Coeur Airport near St. Louis, including one owned by new EAA President Rod Hightower, flew in formation. An Ercoupe and C-47 arrived and joined Eric Downing’s Skyraider and other historic aircraft on the ramp. Other ground-based displays included U.S. Army recruitment team and rock climbing rig along with show cars and motorcycles.

From 11:00am to 12:00pm, a special ceremony was held to honor attending veterans and local veterans home administrators. The agenda included patriotic music provided by the vocal quartet, “Hot Pursuit,” a tribute to World War II WASP Penny Ross, and a statement of continuing support from Mexico Missouri’s favorite son, U.S. Senator Kit Bond. Following the ceremony, the Dave Dacy air show provided the aerial entertainment until about 4:00pm.

Throughout the afternoon, Dave Dacy air show performers awed the audience: Dave Dacy Super Stearman Solo Routine, Clyde Zellers in his North American SNJ, Jim 'Fang' Maroney and his Super Chipmunk, Vlado Lenoch in the North American P-51 Mustang “Moonbeam McSwine,” the Dacy - Kazian Stearman/Wingwalking Team and Phil Dacy expertly narrating the action. Additionally, a B-2 Spirit bomber from Whiteman AFB made several passes, Jacquie Warda wowed the crowd in her Pitts S-1T, and the U.S. Air Force A-10 West Team performed their demonstration and Heritage Flight with Vlado Lenoch in his P-51 Mustang.