AIRPLANES AND FUN ON TAP SATURDAY AT RAMONA AIRPORT OPEN HOUSE

September 18, 2014 (Ramona)--Gaze up close at World War II fighter airplanes, experimental aircraft, and firefighting air tankers and helicopters. Tour an air traffic control tower. Check out hot classic cars and big-rig trucks. Maybe even get your face painted or shake Smokey's hand.

People will have the chance to do all that and a lot more from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, when Ramona Airport holds its annual open house at 2926 Montecito Road in Ramona. The airport is one of the County’s eight airports and CAL FIRE’s oldest air attack base.

The event and parking are free. Food, including a pancake breakfast and Mexican food lunch, will be available for a fee.

Families have flocked to the Ramona Open House for years. In addition to being able to see numerous aircraft and tour the airport’s control tower, visitors will also be able to tour the Classic Rotors Helicopter Museum, the U.S. Forest Service’s helitac base and CAL FIRE’s air attack base. Most of the airport’s flight schools and businesses will also be open during the open house.

There will be music, karaoke, face-painting, a piñata and visits from Smokey Bear for the children. The “Tricked-out Big-rig Truck & Classic/Car Motorcycle Show” is a charity event and exhibitors are welcome.