By John Chambless
Staff Writer

There will be plenty to see in the air and on the ground next weekend at the New Garden Flying Field.

The annual Festival of Flight Air and Car Show will be held Aug. 22 and 23, offering families a whole weekend of dazzling planes, beautifully restored cars, a craft show and plenty of food vendors.

In addition to being able to see some historic planes up close on the ground, visitors can watch pilots put them to the test with stunts and daring fly-bys of the airfield. Performers include Matt Chapman, Greg Koontz and the Alabama Boys, Scott Francis, Jason Flood, Jerry Wells, Kevin Russo and Mark Murphy. Russo will be flying a SNJ-6 prop warplane that reaches speeds of up to 250 miles per hour. Chapman, a renowned aerobatic pilot, will be flying a Viper Jet that can reach 180 miles per hour. Murphy will be flying a P-51D Mustang, “Never Miss.”

The Lockheed 12A plane used in the movie “Amelia” will be on display, and there will be a wide variety of restored vehicles displayed by members of regional antique car clubs. If you have an antique car, you can drive it to the show and get $10 per carload per day. Those arriving in military vehicles will be admitted free both days and park in the center of the activities and get a free dinner on Saturday night that features live music from the World War II era.

Visitors can vote for their favorite vehicle, which will get a trophy and be honored in the Winner's Circle.

There will also be performances for all visitors by The Ultimate Abbott and Costello Tribute Show, and the swing-era vocal group The Manhattan Dolls.

Nobody will go hungry, since burgers, hot dogs and festival treats will be for sale all weekend. Craft vendors and flying memorabilia dealers will have tables set up as well. The gates open at 9 a.m. both days, and the action continues through the afternoon during the airfield's biggest event of the year.

There are several admission options. A Family Pass for two adults and two children, good either day, is $45. Adult passes are $17 ($7 for ages 6 to 12, under 6 free). One-day admission either Saturday or Sunday is $30 for adults ($10 for ages 6 to 12, under 6 free). A VIP Hangar Pass with indoor table seating, drinks and snacks is $10, not including admission to the show. VIP parking is $15, good either day.

The New Garden Flying Field is at 1235 Newark Road in Toughkenamon, south of Longwood Gardens. Tickets and more information is available at www.newgardenflyingfield.com, or call 610-268-2619.

To contact Staff Writer John Chambless, email [email protected].