Airport holds annual picnic

The Red Oak Airport provided food and entertainment for visitors at its annual picnic at the airport Aug. 27.
Local and nationwide visitors and pilots, and even an international pilot or two enjoyed a  meal and sides, making an annual visit to the airport on their way to the Blakesburg Annual Fly-In held in Blakesburg each year during the Labor Day weekend. Attendees were also able to check out the antique and classic airplanes on display around the airport terminal during the event.
Pilot Nick Hildreth, a member of the Red Oak Airport Commission and one of the organizers of the event, said planes had arrived from California, Washington, and South Carolina among others.
“They were headed to the national antique event. This year, they’re featuring the Stearman biplane, and we’ve had a number of them here at the airport,” Hildreth said.
Hildreth added he’s continually pleased with how the annual picnic has grown over the years.
“It started just with people that had planes here at the airport, and it’s evolved into way more than that,” commented Hildreth.
Visitors to the picnic were provided with a free meal and entertainment. Many of the out of town pilots take the opportunity to stay overnight in Red Oak. All of the visiting pilots say they love the welcome they receive from airport staff and the community.