By Glenn RolfeGEORGETOWN — An iconic episode from the 1970s sitcom “WKRP in Cincinnati” will drop in on the Wings & Wheels Fall Festival on Oct. 4.
Organizers have announced that the gathering will include the inaugural Les Nessman World Championship Invitational Turkey Drop.
“This is something that has been happening at a lot of the local air shows,” said Linda Price, the president/CEO of the Greater Georgetown Chamber of Commerce, which presents Wings & Wheels at the Delaware Coastal Airport, 21553 Rudder Lane. “It has always been a very fun thing.”
Rest assured: No live birds will be harmed, and no frozen or thawed turkeys will go to waste, as “it’s actually rubber chickens, not real turkeys,” she continued.
The event will involve pilots attempting to hit a target on the ground with chickens dropped from a specific altitude, according to Ms. Price.
This new Wings & Wheels twist, which replaces the flour bombing of the past, has created a stir.
“Actually, it has gotten such a buzz right now with the air show circuit that we already now have 30 World War II-era aircraft that expressed an interest in coming,” she added.
The drop will likely be held around 2 p.m. Bragging rights will be at stake, and there may be trophies.
“We were looking for something new because the pilots’ competition with the flour bombing was kind of getting stale,” Ms. Price said. “It’s something really new that we are hoping ... injects some new life into things.”
Spectators will also have eyes to the sky for various warbirds, as well as the U.S. Naval Academy’s Parachute Team, whose first jump will coincide with opening ceremonies at 10 a.m. The team will make additional jumps when the weather permits.
The Oct. 3 portion of Wings & Wheels will include the Pathways to Aviation initiative for students, from 9 a.m. to noon. That night, a dinner show will take place at 6, with music by the 287th Army Band of the Delaware National Guard and photos with the B-25 Mitchell bomber, dubbed “Panchito,” and other aircraft.
Dinner tickets and information are available at wings-wheels.com or by calling 302-856-1544. Tickets are $60 each, $110 per couple or $400 for a table for eight.
