Airport hosts Fourth of July celebration

This Independence Day, Sisters Eagle Airport will host Wings & Wheels. The event is a two-part fly-in and classic car show.

A fly-in is a gathering of pilots who will bring their vintage and fly-about aircraft to Sisters Eagle Airport. Pilots will literally fly into the event, which will give spectators an in-action display of various aircraft. AirLink is expected to fly in their PC Turbo Prop.

The car show will also provide a wide variety of vintage car models that are the pride and joy of local community members. The displays will entertain both dedicated car and plane enthusiasts and those who are entirely new to the scene.

The event also includes a ceremonial presentation by the Military Parents of Sisters. The Military Parents of Sisters are a group who aim to support and honor local family members, veterans, recruits and current military troops. Their ceremony welcomes local young people who have signed up as recruits into the military life by showing the support they have from both veterans and community members.

The Military Parents of Sisters meets monthly for the benefit and comfort of those families closest to the military community in Sisters. Carla Merrell founded the group in 2007, on December 7 (Pearl Harbor Day). Cindy Bell now runs the group. The number of families involved in the group fluctuates, but is typically around 20. They act as cheerleaders and supporters for our local military members, sending care packages and giving comfort to those who have served our country.

Also included in the ceremony this year is Bend Fire Pipes and Drums and members of the Eckstine family performing the national anthem. The ceremony has been performed on the Fourth of July in various places around the community, but this will be the first year it is performed at Eagle Airport.

The military ceremony will not be the only performance at the event. Local band The Anvil Blasters will be performing their acoustic American roots music. The Anvil Blasters' eclectic mix of talent and songs has developed a loyal following across Central Oregon.

This event will mark one year since the Eagle Airport's grand opening, which also included a fly-in and pancake breakfast. The event will take place in the morning from 7:30 a.m. to noon, and the pancake breakfast will be served for a suggested donation of $5.