26th Annual Simsbury Fly-In and Car Show Set to Take Off Sept. 18

Even though kids are back in school and the beach chairs have all been packed up, the summer fun isn’t over just yet as the 26th annual Fly-In and Car Show is set to make its return to the on Sept. 18.

The event, billed as “the largest of its kind in New England” typically draws in thousands of people from across New England to marvel at the classic cars and airplanes and take part in the food, fun and festivities.

According to Bill Thomas, manager of the Simsbury Airport, the event is expected to feature upwards of 600 cars and airplanes.

“People travel from quite a distance to get here,” Thomas said. “Every year we get spectators from all over New England and some pilots fly in from as far away as Virginia and upstate New York.” 

Some of the highlights of this year’s show will be a low-altitude flyover by an Air Force C-5 cargo jet, a formation flying demonstration and a skydiving exhibition. 

According to Thomas, one of the most anticipated features of this year’s show for classic airplane enthusiast will be a demonstration flight of a World War I era SPAD fighter plane, a rare French aircraft of which there are very few left in the world.

The day’s festivities will start with an 8 a.m. breakfast. Throughout the day there will be hamburgers, hot dogs and a variety of other foods from a number of vendors. Kid-friendly activities have also been planned which include — among other things — face-painting and a moon bounce.

According to Thomas, one of the Fly-In Car Show’s greatest features is that spectators never know what they’re going to see.

“The most exciting part for me is to just see what kind of planes and cars show up," Thomas said. “We always get a number of very unusual cars and planes. You never know what’s gonna be there, but it’s always a pleasant surprise.”

Several seminars will be offered for both automobile and aircraft enthusiasts. The aircraft seminar will focus on the restoration process of a World War II bomber and the automobile seminar will teach fair goers about how to determine the value of classic cars.

If the display of cars and planes isn’t enough for some, tethered hot air balloon rides will be offered in the RE/MAX Real Estate hot air balloon. In addition, a Black Hawk helicopter, one of the most notable military aircraft in recent memory, will be open for inspection to the public.

The Fly-In and Car Show will also feature plenty of brand new cars and airplanes which will be on display from a variety of local dealers. Spectators can also see a Life Star medivac helicopter from Hartford Hospital “unless there’s an emergency and it’s needed elsewhere,” Thomas said.

Although thousands of people are expected to attend, according to Thomas, there’s no wrong way to enjoy the show. 

“Some people like to busy themselves with the seminars or by speaking with car collectors and pilots and some people have a great time by just relaxing and looking up at everything that’s happening in the sky. There’s something for everyone.”

The 26th annual Fly-In Car Show will take place from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is free, although the organizers will ask for donations at the gate which will go to the Simsbury Airport.