JANESVILLE — Hosted by Propel Forward, Pistons and Props is a celebration of vintage airplanes and classic cars, captivating enthusiasts with a showcase of historical aviation and automotive excellence. Held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on July 20 at Southern Wisconsin Regional Airport, the event aims to be a memorable experience.
“The show is a chance for aviation and car aficionados to take in these vintage marvels up close,” said Joshua Gowey, event chair. “It’s a great event for families because not only is it educational and inspiring, but it’s also just a really fun way to spend the day.”
The highlight of the event is the vintage aircraft and automobiles, with rides available on the B-25 “Miss Mitchell,” C-47 “That’s All, Brother,” SBD Dauntless Dive Bomber, T-6 Texan, and BT-13 Valiant, as well as static displays of local aircraft plus a T-6, T-34, T-28, and the featured display aircraft, the AC-47 “Spooky,” a fixed-wing gunship developed by the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War.
With spaces for up to 200 classic automobiles to be on display for the car show hosted by Traffic Jams Speed Shop, exhibitors are invited to sign up. Car show exhibitors also have an opportunity to have their car photographed with a vintage airplane. Pre-registration is required for the photo ops and airplane rides.
Geared toward the entire family, children’s activities will include five bounce houses, a pedal racetrack, and carnival game. The large education tent will feature a wide range of activities including displays and an aviation challenge by Women in Aviation, history and a wind tunnel by the Kelch Aviation Museum, automotive education at the 4-H booth, and various aviation education from host Propel Forward. Additional kids’ activities include a paper airplane contest, 3D printer displays, rocket building and launch using compressed air, and an art station.
Check out the radio-controlled aircraft or try your hand with a flight simulator at the Rock River Aero Modelers Society booth, and enjoy presentations by guest speakers from Women in Aviation, the Southern Wisconsin Regional Airport Tower Manager, and “the life of an airline pilot” by a Boeing 787 Pilot. Other displays include the Rock County Sheriff’s Department, Mercy React ambulance, American Legion of Orfordville, Mercyhealth Mobile Clinic, Janesville Fire Department, Beloit Fire Department, Clinton Fire Protection District, and Armed Forces booth, and the UW Health helicopter arriving at 11 a.m. Flyovers by the Cirrus Aircraft Group and Red Star Group.
Food and drink will be available for purchase, including a beer garden, with live music performances by Mark Croft from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and Dem Horny Funkers from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Following the event, Pistons and Props has partnered with ECHO of Janesville to present a Big Band Hangar Dance fundraiser featuring Ladies Must Swing, an award-winning, 18-piece all-female big band. This is a separate ticketed event, with proceeds going to ECHO.
General admission tickets for Pistons and Props are $5 for ages 6-16 and $15 for ages 17-plus in advance or $20 at the gate. Children 5 and under are free. There is no fee for parking. Admission, flight and special photography tickets can be purchased on the Pistons and Props website: www.pistonsprops.com. If postponed by weather, the rain date is Sunday, July 21.
