On Saturday August 19th, over 1,200 members of the Holland Area community celebrated National Aviation Day at West Michigan Regional Airport. The airport partnered with Wings of Mercy for their annual Holland CareAffaire and runway 5k race for a full day of activities at the airport.
The day began with the runway 5k race followed by a complimentary pancake breakfast. The day continued with flight demonstrations, a color guard presentation, a flyover by the Hooligan Flight Team, flight simulators from FlightPath, drone demonstrations, and much more. Guests enjoyed free ice cream provided by Operation Polar Patrol, food, flights and kid-friendly activities.
“Being tax supported, we love creating opportunities for the community members to engage with the airport through celebrations like National Aviation Day. It’s amazing to see families engage with aviation and to show them the value this airport brings to our community. For many, this will be their only chance to get this level of access to an airport. Through continued investment from our member communities (Holland, Zeeland, and Park Township) and from area businesses, activity continues to grow and we’re able to give back and provide these one of a kind experiences. We are also extremely excited to welcome our newest on-field partner, Avflight, who was instrumental in supporting operations and activities day of.” said Airport Director Aaron Thelenwood.
National Aviation Day was established in 1939 to celebrate achievements in aviation. It’s observed on August 19th, Orville Wright’s birthday, in recognition of the first controlled and sustained motorized flight orchestrated by Wright. We continue to celebrate the day to commemorate the innovation and connection aviation brings to the world.
The National Aviation Day celebration is hosted annually in partnership between the West Michigan Regional Airport and Wings of Mercy. Upcoming community events can be found on their website and social media pages.
About the West Michigan Regional Airport
West Michigan Regional Airport (WMRA) accelerates business growth and job creation through convenient, efficient access to air travel. With a world-class facility, well-maintained runways and friendly staff, WMRA is an essential resource for businesses, aviation enthusiasts, educators, and healthcare organizations.
For additional information on the airport, visit https://westmichiganregionalairport.com.
