By Katie White, County of San Diego Communications Office
Fasten your seatbelts and prepare for takeoff as one of Ramona’s biggest events returns for its 24th Annual edition.
The Ramona Air Fair & Fly-In is coming to the County of San Diego’s Ramona Airport, 2926 Montecito Road, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5. Event admission and parking are free, and all ages are welcome.
Expected to draw thousands of attendees, this year’s event will feature a display of airplanes, helicopters, tours of CALFIRE and U.S. Forest Service firefighting aircraft, free tethered hot air balloon rides, and much more. Free airplane rides with Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 14 will be available on a first-come, first-served basis for children and teens between the ages of 8 and 17 years.
The Ramona Air Fair will also feature meet and greets with special guests Red Eagles Formation Team, Ramona Rattlers, March Aero Club, and Air Group One. Tours of the airport’s other facilities, including the Classic Rotors Museum and the control tower will be available.
But it’s not just airplanes and flying attractions that draw the crowds. Visitors can also enjoy a classic car show, meet Smokey Bear, relax in the Hangar 24 beer garden, eat delicious food from various food trucks, and listen to live music performed by country artist “Whiskey Ridge.” For the little ones, the all-day Kids’ Zone will include free face painting, balloon making, and piñatas.
Ramona Airport is one of eight County airports and has the oldest CALFIRE air attack base in the state. California’s fire service started flying missions out of Ramona Airport more than 60 years ago in 1957.
For more information about the airport, visit the County Department of Public Works’ Ramona Airport web page.
Katie White is a communications specialist with the County of San Diego Communications Office.
