Annual air show set to fly at Havre City-County Airport

Havre's annual Air Fair and fly-in breakfast is set to begin Saturday at 7 a.m.

The public is invited, at no charge, to the Havre City-County Airport to see a variety of airplanes and talk to the pilots, said Willy Hurd, president of the North Central Hangar of the Montana Pilots Association, the group that hosts the event.

Kids will be offered a free airplane ride this year, Hurd said, but cautioned that with the hot weather, which causes turbulence, people should show up early, while the day is cool and the air calm.

"It's supposed to get hot that day and the air can get a little too bumpy later in the morning," he said. "We really hate to shut down rides when kids are lined up."

Hurd said they expect the regular local planes to be on hand, including an RV, a Challenger, some Cessnas and a Piper. They offer a free breakfast to visiting pilots, so hope to see some visitors.

Anyone wanting breakfast can have all-you-can eat of eggs, sausage, pancakes, biscuits and gravy with coffee, hot chocolate or juice for $7. The meal is free to kids younger than 6 years of age.

To help combat the heat, Hurd said, they will also have free bottled water and freeze pops.

A friendly competition will give pilots a chance to show off their skills in a game of sky bowling. Pilots, flying low and slow, will drop a bowling ball from their plane, trying to knock down barrels painted to look like bowling pins.

Hurd also said he's set to make his annual candy drop over the crowd.

The event is 7 a.m. to noon at the main hangar of the Havre City-County Airport.