Last

weekend's Wings Over Dixie air show at Falcon

Field in Peachtree City was an overwhelming

success, with attendance at the two-day event far

beyond the organizers' expectations.

As

of Monday afternoon, the total attendance for

Saturday and Sunday was estimated at between

27,000 and 28,000. That is nearly twice as many

as last year, and thousands more than the 20,000

predicted to attend.

Some

of the credit for the turnout could be attributed

to the near-perfect weather, with clear skies and

highs in the low to mid-80s both days.

There

were virtually no medical emergencies the entire

weekend, with only one person transported from

the scene due to heat-related problems, according

to the Peachtree City Fire Department.

new addition to this year's event was the

Kidport, with several rides and attractions for

children. The Dixieland Fun Park train and two

Dynojumps were available for ticket holders to

enjoy, with proceeds benefiting three local

charities: Fayette Youth Protection Home, Starr's

Mill High School Interact Club (whose students

helped staff the area), and the Confederate Air

Force.

More

than $4,900 was raised for those causes at the

Kidport over the weekend, according to

spokesperson Danny Harrison.

One

of the highlights of the show was the appearance

of the B-1 bomber, whose performance stunned many

in attendance as it roared over the airfield as

if it would touch down before taking off back

into the sky.

crowd of people, young and old, stood in line for

a turn the cockpit of an F-16 fighter, which also

took part in the show. Visitors paid handsomely

for the chance to ride in a biplane or some other

historic aircraft available over the weekend.

host of World War II and Vietnam-era planes and

helicopters were on display at the show, with

many of them taking to the air to dazzle and

delight the crowds Saturday and Sunday afternoon.

Meanwhile,

civic groups such as the Peachtree City Kiwanis

Club were able to raise thousands of dollars for

worthwhile charities in this area.

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