Largest Private Collection of Vintage Aircraft Plays Host to “Wings & Wheels” Oktoberfest; “Red Baron” Takes to the Skies as Porsche and Beer Gardens Entertain Below
Upscale Octoberfest event with displays of vintage aircraft and German cars. Aerial demonstrations, beer gardens, food and entertainment.
Lakeland, FL (PRWEB) August 8, 2006 -- An incredible collection of vintage aircraft, including an exact replica of legendary WWI ace Manfred Von Richthofen’s (Red Baron) Fokker DR-1 Tri plane, will play host to an Oktoberfest-themed event in Lakeland, Florida, on Saturday, October 7th. Also set for display will be a collection of Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Volkswagen and other German sports cars. The event will strive for authenticity with entertainment planned to include the “Red Baron” aircraft taking to the skies, Munich style beer gardens, classic Oktoberfest food offerings, music, aerial demonstrations, aircraft displays and interactive exhibits, biplane rides, and more.
Organizers are planning to create an event that both entertains and educates by taking advantage of their significant collection of vintage aircraft and by adding the displays of vintage and contemporary German cars. German car owners are urged to bring their cars for display in car corrals. Awards and prizes will be awarded to cars that win in Octoberfest themed contests including one for a VW Bug that is decorated best in the Octoberfest manor. The event will kick off by paying respect to an Oktoberfest tradition with the “Tapping of the beer barrel” at the "Schottenhamel” garden. The beer garden will house a variety of German beer including Becks, Heineken and Lowenbrau. German foods including bratwurst, sausage, and strudel will be served.
Located on over 1,000 acres, the facility houses over a multitude of aircraft, a restaurant, three art deco hangars covering 70,000 feet, a fully operating aircraft restoration shop and 8,000 feet of runway. The aircraft collection was acquired by enthusiast and aviator, Kermit Weeks. Weeks built his first aircraft at 17, won the US National Aerobatics Championships twice and has placed in the top three overall in the world five times.
According to Jennifer Montague of Fantasy of Flight, “The idea of an Octoberfest at our facility came about while talking with a customer who had recently returned from an Octoberfest in Germany. While listening to his stories and walking through the aircraft hangers we paused by our recreation (no original Fokker’s exist) of the Fokker DR-1 Tri plane flown by World War One Ace , Manfred Von Richthofen (the Red Baron). We all just looked at each other and realized we could build something very special here.”
The idea to add a collection of Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, BMW and other German cars came while discussing details of what would be included in the event beyond the standard beer gardens and German food. One call to the local Porsche Club confirmed their involvement. “Our goal is to attract as many car owners as possible to come and display their cars. A special “Porsche Corral” will be set up for club members," said Kim Long of Fantasy of Flight. In addition, other Corrals will be on site to display other German cars. Specially reduced event tickets are available at participating car clubs and through Fantasy of Flight. The event acts as a fundraiser for clubs with a portion of the sale staying with them.
Contact Joe Sabatini at 352-385-9450 or by email for more information.
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