Huffman Prairie Aero Carnival on Aug. 21

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WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  The general public is invited to celebrate the rich history of aviation during the Huffman Prairie Aero Carnival, Saturday, Aug. 21. The family-friendly event is free and takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Huffman Prairie Flying Field here.

The event is sponsored by the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park, with support of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.

"We've assembled a wide variety of fun activities for the whole family," said Dean Alexander, park superintendent. "Visitors can expect a fun-filled day of activities at the site of the world's first airfield where Wilbur and Orville taught themselves and over a hundred students to fly 100 years ago."

Organizers said the event will include a nostalgic look at life in the early 1900s. Planned activities include a Family Fun Zone (bouncy house, toddler activities and children's heritage games), a National Aviation Heritage Area flight simulator, flight school program, aircraft building competition, hay rides, silent movie theater (with popcorn and lemonade), vintage fashion show, Wright wind tunnel display, aircraft fly-overs, aircraft and vintage car displays, "old time" baseball, and more.

Food service and beverages are available for purchase on the prairie from 11 a.m. to 2:30 pm.

Attendees can continue their visit at the nearby Huffman Prairie Flying Field Interpretive Center across from the Wright Memorial on Wright Brothers Hill, where they can learn more about the Wright brothers and fly a 1911 Wright Model B simulator.

Huffman Prairie Flying Field is located on Wright-Patterson Air Force Base at Gate 16A off of Ohio State Route 444 in Fairborn.

No seating provided, however lawn chairs are permitted. For more information visit www.nps.gov/daav  or call (937) 425-0008 or (937) 225-7705.