DeFuniak Springs, Fla. -
Some Northwest Floridians spent most of the day looking up, as the 2012 'Marvel of Flight' event made its way to the DeFuniak Springs Municipal Airport.
http://www.wmbb.com/story/18564159/up-up-and-away-marvel-of-flight-in-defuniak-springs
An estimated three thousand people showed up on a nearly perfect day weather wise in DeFuniak. There were aircraft from all over the southeast - Destin, Alabama, and South Georgia to name a few. They put on quite a show for the crowd on hand, many of the tricks courtesy of the Red Dragon and Destin Warbirds. Event Coordinator Kelly Schultz said the idea all began in a classroom.
"It started out as a project for 'Leadership Walton'," Schultz said. "Our class was tasked with identifying a project that brought the county together and spotlighted economic development, so this is the project that was chosen."
Featuring planes of all shapes, sizes, and models from all over the Southeast, the event drew out the most avid aviators.
"General Aviation needs that to let the community know what's going on, and this is an open house so people can come out and see what type of aircraft are out there," flight instructor Ronald Jarmon said.
"It gives you a good reason to go somewhere," flight instructor Wayne McKenzie said. "It's just an opportunity to act like a bird."
Whether because of good old American pride, or the amazing aerial feats the planes were able to pull off, the event seemed to live up to it's name...as both kids and adults both got to marvel at the magic of flight.
"We're hoping to bring members of our county together in a unified event that spotlights our aviation in the community," Schultz said. "Walton County has one airport, it's in DeFuniak Springs, and we just want everybody to come out and have a good time."