Lancaster Airport will be buzzing on Saturday, May 17 with vintage World War II aircraft, a classic car/motorcycle/truck show, helicopter rides, 5K runners, music and family activities – all benefitting local summer youth programs. The Rotary Club of Lancaster has planned its biggest-ever Wheels & Wings Festival and 5K Festival, with attractions geared to family fun and backed by numerous local business sponsors. The region’s only event of its kind supports the Summer Youth Experience. Funded in partnership with the United Way of Lancaster, this program supports nonprofits that serve more than 2,600 city youth between ages 5 and 17.
Rotary predicts the event will raise over $40,000 for the summer program. It addresses the “achievement gap,” and provides engaging and fun activities that also help to develop leadership skills and prevent the “summer slide” for students. The festival will be on Saturday, May 17th, rain or shine, from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the festival host sponsor, Lancaster Airport, 500 Airport Road, Lititz. The event is free, and no registration is required for spectators. Onsite parking is $5. The festival begins at 8 a.m. with the running of the 5K over a lightly traveled race route entirely on the grounds of the 5K host sponsor, Brethren Village, 3001 Lititz Pike, Lititz.
More than 100 runners are expected to compete. Medals will be awarded for the top three male and female finishers in different age categories. Runners can register at https:// runsignup.com/Race/PA/Lititz/ WheelsWingsFestival5K or on-site, beginning at 7 a.m. on the day of the race. The deadline to receive a discounted fee is Friday, May 9.
The car and plane shows will then take center stage at 9 a.m. The "everything on wheels" car show runs until 2 p.m. Show trophies will be awarded, as well as numerous door prizes. Nearly 300 vehicles are expected to be on display. Prizes will be awarded in 16 different categories, and spectators will get an opportunity to vote for a people’s choice award. Owners can register their vehicles by searching for "Rotary Club of Lancaster Wheels
and Wings Festival and 5K" at www.eventbrite.com or on-site the day of the event. The aircraft show portion of the day will feature a display of World War II Warbirds presented by Capital Wing, Commemorative Air Force. The planes are expected to draw interest from history buffs. They are a Grumman Avenger torpedo bomber, a Stearman trainer, and a Stinson multi-purpose WWII aircraft. State Police and Life Lion helicopters are expected to be there, and tours of the aircraft will be available.
Other festival highlights include live music, five food trucks serving breakfast and lunch, door prizes, games, a children's area and vendors. More than 1,000 people are expected to attend. The local Rotary club has a long history working with the School District of Lancaster, and engages in fundraisers and community activities to benefit – in addition to the Summer Youth Experience -- the 4-H Club of Lancaster County, a youth exchange and host family program in conjunction with the School District of Lancaster, Power Packs food program in Lancaster, Preserve Planet Earth and the Salvation Army.