Airport invitation

For weeks, the Orange County airport's new terminal has stood completed but vacant, only furniture and equipment moving in, piece by piece. In the future, airport and county officials hope to look at the new building as a time machine, a shiny, glass-enclosed box that took Orange County into the wild blue yonder of economic development, but on May 14 their expectations will begin a little more modestly. That Saturday the new terminal will serve merely as a party host for its own opening event.
"Saturday will be a chance for the community to get to know and experience the airport," said airport manager Buzz Jarrell. "The event will be something that's aviation-oriented, but also something that families and come out and enjoy."
The event will be part air-show and part festival, with a number of aircraft, young and old, on hand for visitors to experience. Jarrell mentioned old T-6 and T-28 Air Force planes as a couple of those that would be on display, as well as a bi-plane. Jarrell said that an officials' ribbon cutting would be held at 10:30 a.m., followed by the public opening of the event at 11:30. The list of dignitaries scheduled to appear for the ribbon cutting include Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling, Randy Burdette from the Virginia Department of Aviation and board of supervisors chairman Lee Frame. Skydivers will deliver the scissors for the ribbon cutting.
Visitors will have a chance to enjoy the new terminal from both the ground and the sky, as pilots will be around to sell plane rides or simply talk to aviation enthusiasts about their aircraft. Kids can have their face painted, go for a ride on the barrel train and even watch mom and dad jump from thousands of feet in the air with Skydive Orange. Visitors will also have their first glimpse of the inside of the new terminal.
Jarrell repeatedly stresses how important he feels the airport can be to the economic growth of the county and believes the $1.3 million facility should be a point of pride for residents
"The goal of the airport is not to be an island, but be seen as a useful economic tool and something to be enjoyed," said Jarrell. "With the size of the new terminal we hope to be able to get more businesses interested in the airport. Aviation is a strong player in many businesses and the airport is a gateway to the economic side of the county."
The event will include performances by Orange Cloggers, as well as magic tricks by Mark Zephyr. Concessions will be sold by Brusters and Orange County's renowned vineyards, Horton and Barboursville will offer wine tastings. The free event runs from 11:30 to 2:30 and visitors can enter for a chance to win a free jump with Skydive Orange and a plane ride from Charlottesville Flight Center.