FAIRHOPE AL - The Festival of Flight will return to H.L."Sonny" Callahan Airport this year with the support of the Fairhope
City Council.
Monday night the council unanimously approved a resolution
that says if the Fairhope Airport Authority is unable to raise enough funds to
hold the event through grants, sponsorships or fundraisers then the city will
provide in-kind support of up to $50,000, according to reports.
Fairhope Festival of Flight
Mayor Tim Kant reportedly said organizers are looking at the last week in September to hold the event, which was last held in 2008. According to reports Kant said one of the biggest reasons for holding the festival is to showcase city property at the airport.
Council President Burrell noted one of the main reasons for returning the event to the city's municipal airport on Baldwin County 32 is to attract more aviation and aerospace business in light of the recent Airbus announcement in nearby City of Mobile.
Fairhope Festival of Flight
According to Air Show committee members, the event would be a mix of an air show and trade show with a possible job fair and vendor opportunities. Plans are underway with more details announced soon.
Fairhope Festival of Flight
The Festival of Flight had its inaugural year in 2006, drawing a crowd of about 6,000, while the last year it was held in 2008, drew more than 15,000 people.
FMI: Fairhope Festival of Flight -B Meyer, Images-Alabama Aviator