Spruce Creek Fly-in Events in the News
Friday, December 17, 1999
Runway becomes parade route for Fly-in procession
By JOHN MAZUR
The Daytona Beach News-Journal columnist
The weather couldn't have been better as the Spruce Creek Fly-In community had its much-anticipated Airplane and Toy Christmas Parade Saturday. Hundreds of Fly-In residents and neighbors lined the taxiways and runway to observe and enjoy the world's only known event of its kind.
Promptly after 3 p.m., more than 30 airplanes participated in Gaggle Flight Formations overhead, marking the start of the parade.
There were the Swirt Marchetti and SX 300 flown by Dave Cummock, Keith Phillips and Jim Kennedy.
Dick Russell, Bob Mahanon and George Baker flew their T-34 military trainers. Beautifully restored and a delight to observe, these are some of the trickiest to land, making a perfect trainer to prepare our WWII pilots for the P 51s and other advanced fighters of that era.
Twin engine Barons were flown by Al Brillaud and Bill Merkin. Classic airplanes were well-represented by three Cessna 180s flown by Pete Vandersluis, Chuck O'Connor and Dave Haggett.
Antique airplanes, a Johnson Rocket, Atlantis, Messerschmitt and Cherokee, were flown by Orval Fairbairn, Paul Harris, Art Patstone and Jesse Jernigan. Mike Keemar, Les Lowman and Gene Lake flew their English Chipmonk and Varga Kachinas.
Open cockpit biplanes, a Hatz two Great Lakes and a skybelt, were flown by Bob Eicher, Greg Farboun, Bob Wahl and Larry Cruzen.
Carlos Bravo and Jerry Borchin flew their Stearmans with Norm Pesch's Luscombe and Charlie Tennstedt's Baking Duce.
Seeing five cubs flown together was a rare treat provided by Lou Spanberger, Tom Clark, Gene McNeely and Jim Bannerman.
Keeping all the airplanes coordinated for this aerial ballet requires a lot of experience, which was aptly provided by Air Boss, Frank Bottoms. Spruce Creek, in fact, has one of the largest pools of very experienced military, airline and civilian pilots that exists anywhere.
The parade consisted of decorated airplanes, antique cars, golf carts, motorcycles, RVs, go-carts, bicycles and even wagons decorated by children.
Over the years, it has grown from just airplanes to include all family members in this one-of-a- kind community event.
Almost 3/4 -mile long, the parade route followed 3 1/2 miles through the center of the community for all to see. Prizes were awarded for the best decorated examples in six categories.
Judy Tokar, Pat Ohllson and Ron Shapiro won for their themed aircraft displays. Best decorated antique car awards went to Tony Crawford's group, Dawn Sautter, Jug Raulin and Re J. Dean. Conrad Shad, Bob Terry and Pete Spand had the best decorated motorcycles.
Golf carts got especially creative this year with awards going to Brenda Marshall, Al and Roberta Pistorias and Karen Cruzen. Bob Ahrens, Dick Heilman and A.V. Harrison won in the RVs and boats category.
Many youngsters got in the fun with Laura Jones, Nikki Hassell and Johnny Mazur being honored for their efforts.
There was a picnic at "the tree," where neighbors and friends gathered for hours after the parade. Food and refreshments were provided by yours truly and Mrs. Conrad Yelvington, the Spruce Creek Country Club, Pat and Lenny Ohlsson, Forrest Heller, Bruce Turner, Joe Schomer and Bill Ahren.
An event of this size couldn't occur without a virtual army of volunteers. Grand marshals of the parade were Dennis and Connie Hynes.
Master of ceremonies for the awards ceremony was Dr. John McCollister, a frequent national speaker who also has been known to sing the anthem at professional ballgames.
Ron Sautter, Jim Kennedy, Keith Phillips, Sal Devincenzo, Karen Cruzen and Judy Gentry were responsible foreach of the parade entry categories.
Musical entertainment was provided by the Jacksonville Dixieland Band, who also appeared on a stage/float during the parade provided by Phil and Brenda Le Blanc.
This event is the only known airplane parade in the world and has gotten bigger and better every year. Many observers were heard saying this was the best year yet. There were more entries than ever, with even more creative decorations.
Parade chairman Bill Carter, assisted by his wife, Norma, in their second year, said they were proud to be a part of this parade. Everyone worked hard to make it worth viewing by ourcherished neighbors.We hope it was enjoyed by all, as that was our mission.''