The 31st annual Airport Day featured a wide variety of airplanes, a glider, a hot air balloon basket, and a helicopter, as well as equipment brought by the Norwich Fire Department, Chenango County Sheriff's Office, and Yacano's Paving and Excavating. (Photo by Dustin Genter of 5th Dimension Photography)

NORWICH — The Lt. Warren E. Eaton Airport held their 31st annual Airport Day on Saturday, June 10. The day featured various aircraft, educational opportunities and food.

The airport hosted several planes, as well as a helicopter flown in from Greene, a glider and a hot air balloon basket. The Norwich Fire Department showcased Engine 237 for attending children to explore, the Chenango County Sheriff's Office brought a car crash simulator and Yacano's Paving and Excavating displayed equipment.

Additionally, the Civil Air Patrol brought a bounce house for children, and the Air Force and Space Force presented educational materials.

The Donut Hut and Bakery provided breakfast sandwiches and donuts, and the Columbus Public House offered their highly popular chicken barbecue to the event.

New to this year's Airport Day was the addition of the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) Red Tail Squadron's Rise Above free traveling exhibit.

The exhibit included a traveling movie theater that screened a short film highlighting the story of the Tuskegee Airmen and "how they overcame obstacles to be allowed to train and fight as U.S. Army Air Corps pilots, how more than 10,000 other black men and women also trained hard to support the pilots, and what the courage and determination they exhibited then still means to all Americans today."

Young aviators aged 8 to 17 also had the chance to enjoy a free plane ride provided by the EAA Young Eagles program.

This year's Airport Day was made possible by the following sponsors: the RC Smith Foundation, C&S Companies, Commerce Chenango, the Pennysaver, GE Aerospace, Diaz Aviation, NBT Bank, Visions Federal Credit Union, Electric Coil Inc., La Bella Salon and Upstate Companies.

For more information on the Lt. Warren E. Eaton Airport, visit co.chenango.ny.us/airport or the Lt. Warren E. Eaton Airport Facebook page.