Louisville, KY, – -Historic Bowman Field is an aviation, architectural, and civic treasure.
To celebrate and promote this wonderful community resource, Bowman Field will be combining the Aviation Heritage Festival from last year AND the Spirit of 45 event to create the first Bowman Field Aviation & Military Heritage Festival. This event, slated for Oct. 14-15, will feature rare vintage aircraft and warplanes from all over the United States, a 4- mile run around the airport presented by Independent Pilot Association benefiting Reach for Kids., military vehicles and equipment, military memorabilia, past war anniversary exhibits and more.
Bowman Field, established in 1920, has the distinction of being one of the longest continuously operating commercial airport in the United States. It is located approximately five miles from downtown Louisville, KY and has convenient access from I-64 via Cannon’s Lane and I-264 via Taylorsville Road. Bowman Field is situated on 426 acres adjacent to Seneca Park and nestled between 4 Louisville Neighborhoods and a country club. There are 17 buildings, with three on the National Register of historic places, including the art deco Administration Building built in 1929 designed by local architect William Arrasmith.
The Bowman Field Aviation & Miltary Heritage Festival will be held in the area around the historic Administration Building and the 1929 Curtiss Flying Service Hangar, current home of Central American Airways. There will be 15-20 historical aircraft on display, vintage airplane rides, vintage cars, military vehicles, community exhibitors and historical re-enactors. Bring the family to take them through the history of Aviation and honor those who gave their lives for Freedom, our Military!
A word from our beneficiaries – Patrick MacDonald, President of Bowman Filed Aviation Heritage Foundation is honored to be on board – “This years annual Bowman Field Festival is a wonderful opportunity for people of all ages of our community to come together as one and experience historic Bowman Field showcasing Louisville’s rich history of military and civilian aviation as well as providing an opportunity for everyone to see, touch and interact with aircraft of all kinds In addition to history, the festival offers a chance to learn about the rapidly expanding aviation industry and it many career opportunities. “
Doug Foster, President of Honor Flight Bluegrass states, “Honor Flight Bluegrass is honored to be one of the recipients of net proceeds from this year’s Bowman Field Aviation and Military Heritage Festival. The Festival is honoring veterans and showcasing Bowman Field’s contributions to WWII, just as we honor the contributions of our veterans from that and later conflicts.” He continued, “It is especially fitting that there will be an Honor Flight on Saturday, October 14 at the same time the Festival is taking place.”
$10pp
Under 16 – $5
Under 5 – FREE
Veterans – FREE with ID
Highlights:
- Exhibitors all around airfield including:
“Women in War” – role of women spanning all conflicts since WWI
“Hall of Memories” – collections of personal memorabilia from veterans and their families
Historical and Modern displays and equipment, from all 5 Armed Forces Service Branches
Vintage military equipment and vehicles, including tanks from KILROY Club of Military Vehicles Preservation Association
- For the second year, the Bowman Field 4 Miler, presented by the Independent Pilot’s Association, will kick off the weekend with a challenging run through Seneca Park and around Bowman Field, finishing on the airfield where runners will receive a pancake breakfast and admission to the event. Five dollars from each race entry will go to support IPA’s charity partner, Reach for Kids.
- 20 + Vintage Airplanes including:
B-25 from Commemorative Air Force – St. Louis, MO – will be giving to WWII veterans
Avenger – type plane George HW Bush flew in WWII
Piper L4 – WWII recon plane
- Airplane Rides and Flight Simulators
- Bourbon, Craft Beer and Food Trucks
- LIVE Bands and Entertainment including Don Krekel Orchestra and Ladies of Liberty
- Pancake Breakfast (Saturday Only)
- Kids Aviation Arts & Crafts Area
- Historical Re-Enactors
Hours of Festival:
Saturday, October 14
GATES OPEN to the Public at 9AM
GATES CLOSE at 5PM
7:30AM -8:30AM – Registration for 4Mile Fun Run
8:30AM Start of the “Bowman 4Miler Fun Run”
9AM-10:30AM – Pancake Breakfast
GATES OPEN to the Public at 9AM
Vintage Plane Tours & Rides
Programs in the lobby of the restored Art Deco Administration Building will include period newsreels from WWII, talks on the Field’s history by local aviation experts, and other programs.
Don Krekel Orchestra – Taking us Back in Time
Ladies of Liberty
Memory Lane and Wartime Exhibits
Food Trucks
Craft Beer and Four Roses Bourbon
Kids Craft Corner
AND More
Sunday, October 15
GATES OPEN at 9AM
GATES CLOSE at 4PM
Vintage Plane Tours & Rides
Wartime through the ages exhibits
Ladies of Liberty
Programs in the lobby of the restored Art Deco Administration Building will include period newsreels from WWII, talks on the Field’s history by local aviation experts, and other programs.
Food Trucks
Craft Beer and Four Roses Bourbon
Kids Craft Corner
AND More
Visit: www.bowmanaviationfest.com for further info
Proceeds will benefit The Honor Flight Bluegrass and Bowman Field Aviation Heritage Foundation
Special Thank You to Our Sponsors:
Humana Military, Kentucky Veterans Program Trust Fund, Beyond Band of Brothers Tours, Four Roses, Jean Frazier, Independent Pilots Association, AARP, Dick Wilson and Mary Romelfanger
Honor Flight Mission:
Our mission is to fly World War II, Korean War, and Vietnam War veterans to Washington DC for a one day all expenses paid visit to their memorials that are dedicated to their service and sacrifices. Our nation is losing more than 1,500 World War II veterans and more than 500 Korean War veterans each and every day. Our goal is to get as many of these brave heroes from Central, Eastern, and Southern Kentucky to see their memorials before they pass away. More than 250 veterans are on our waiting list for flights next year. Our focus on every component is for the safety and comfort of the participants, and we orient each aspect to create a memorable once-in-a-lifetime experience. www.honorflightky.org
Kentucky Aviation Heritage Foundation Mission:
To Preserve, Protect and Promote Bowman Field and its Aviation Heritage and to make it a great place for the public and aviators to visit, experience, learn from, and enjoy.
