OROVILLE – Families kept busy with Fourth of July fun at Auroville Municipal Airport on Monday as the airport and Chamber of Commerce hosted fly-ins, a custom car show and food vendors.
“It’s a lot of fun here at the moment,” said Eric Smith, president of the Auroville Chamber of Commerce. “We have plane cars, food—you name it.”
Communications Director Amber Milland said the event marks the second year the Auroville Chamber of Commerce has hosted a fly-in at the municipal airport.
“We had a lot of great people with our own private planes, we had emergency services from Cal Fire to the Butte County Sheriff – we appreciate everyone who participated.”
Miland said the car show hosted around 60 registered participants, three times more than the first fly-in.
“Everything tripled,” said Miland. “In cars, vendors, planes and attendees.”
Michel Dulac was participating in the fly-in for the first time. Along with her husband Norman Dulac, the two shared a moment under a plane used by Cal Fire.
“I admire them a lot for what they do,” Dalek said. “I always hear them when they are overhead and I know that whenever they are here, they are here to help us. We went out today to look at the planes and say thank you to the people who helped us Huh.”
The fly-in also gave people the opportunity to ride a plane themselves. Starting at $75, people can fly a Beechcraft Model 18 and visit Oroville.
Cathy Cannoy and her husband Ed Cannoy took a tour inside a plane that took the couple a 30-minute trip across the region. During the spin, the couple visited the Oroville Dam, Feather Falls Casino and more.
“It was really enjoyable,” Ed Cannoy said. “It’s great to be back.”
car show results
Tom Hekthier and Sandy Hekthier take first place in 1961 for their 1961 Yellowstone Camper. Second place went to Bill Burke for his 1969 Chevelle and third place was taken by John Nolind for his 1930 Pierce-Arrow. The fourth-place competitor was Harry Sandoval for the 1965 Shelby Cobra, and fifth place went to Bill Spear for the 1969 Firebird.
