GAINESVILLE, Fla., Mar. 21, 2024 – Gainesville Regional Airport (GNV) and its FBO, the University Air Center (UAC) will once again host the Gator Fly-In and Armed Services Appreciation Day Saturday, March 23, 2024.

A fly-in is a gathering for pilots who arrive by air. The event takes place from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. (pre-event pancake breakfast at 8:30 a.m.) at University Air Center, 4701 NE 40th Terrace, Gainesville, Fla. (Enter at General Aviation Entrance, Waldo Road) and is open to the public. Admission and parking are free, and a complimentary shuttle will be provided.

“Our annual Gator Fly-In and Armed Services Appreciation Day is our way of honoring all branches of the military, including some great dignitaries, military and civil aviators who will be flying in many different types of aircraft to the UAC for the event,” says Allan Penksa, CEO, Gainesville Regional Airport. “It’s an exciting day for our community — especially anyone who is curious about flight — to learn more about aviation. We are honored to dedicate this year’s event to our dear friend and Gator Aviator Commander Lt. Col. Richard “Spad” McSpadden with a fitting and poignant ‘Flown West’ ceremony with a squadron of beautiful T-6 Texan and T-34 Mentors. This year we are especially focused on celebrating Women in Aviation. And as always, we look forward to sharing this very special celebration at our airport with the community.”

This year’s event will honor Commander Lt. Col. Richard “Spad” McSpadden with a Flown West Ceremony

Celebrating Women in Aviation and our Military

Planned events include opening ceremonies with a color guard and flyovers, most notably the “Flown West” ceremony for the late Commander Lt. Col. Richard “Spad” McSpadden, USAF (ret.), Friend of the Gator Fly-In, who served as commander and flight leader of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds flight demonstration team, flying the lead aircraft in over 100 flight demonstrations. Most recently, Spad served as Senior Vice President of Aircraft Owner and Pilots’ Association’s (AOPA’s) Flight Safety Institute. Tragically, Spad lost his life in a plane crash in October 2023. Spad enjoyed the Gator Fly-In and was excited to attend this year’s event. The pre-event fun begins with a continuation of our celebration of the late Col. Joe Kittinger, with the second annual “Col. Joe ‘Pamcake’ Breakfast” at 8:30 a.m., with donations going to Col. Joe’s favorite charity, the International Sky Diving Museum & Hall of Fame (www.skydivingmuseum.org). In addition, Col. Joe’s autobiography, “Come Up and Get Me,” will be available for purchase at the event for $25. At 11 a.m., the gates will open to the public, with all participating aircraft in place. Opening ceremonies begin promptly at 1 p.m., with a color guard from Bucholz High School and drill team from the University of Florida (UF) Gator Guard, followed by the National Anthem, sung by “Big Jim” Adam (USMC, ret.). At 1:15 p.m. the “Flown West” ceremony honoring Commander Lt. Col. McSpadden will commence, with comments delivered by Kollin Stagnito, Senior Vice President of Media and Marketing, AOPA, and participation by the Civil Air Patrol. The flyover honoring McSpadden is planned to include T34 Mentor, T6 Texan and Socata TB-30 Epsilon aircraft. In addition, invited dignitaries will make speeches. (Distinguished Aviators include Lauren Monahan, UF alumna, former officer in the US Coast Guard, also a private pilot, and was just crowned Ms. Florida Senior America 2024; Elizabeth Gray, UF Alumna and Delta Pilot, and AOPA President, Kollin Stagnito.) Veterans’ groups from the North Central Florida region have been invited to participate.

Static Display:

All branches of the military have been invited to fly in and participate in the event’s static display. We also expect aircraft manufacturers, privately owned aircraft and law enforcement aircraft to be on display.

Best Aircraft Contest and People’s Choice Awards

A “Best Civilian Aircraft” and “People’s Choice: Best Aircraft” contest will be held, allowing event attendees to vote for their favorite aircraft at the Gator Fly-In. The two winners will be announced and presented with awards at 2:30 p.m.

Live Music, Classic Cars, Kids’ Activities and All-Day Food Trucks

Activities include touring static aircraft and Porsche Club car displays, military trucks, a kid’s corner with face painting, toy airplanes and coloring, arts and crafts vendors, and food trucks. Live Music by The Treetop Flyers will take place throughout the event. In addition to the “Col. Joe ‘Pamcake’ Breakfast” from 8:30 a.m. – 11 a.m., food trucks and a variety of food vendors will operate throughout the event.

Aircraft Rides for purchase – North American T-34B Mentor, Fairchild PT-19A, P51-D Mustang, Robinson 44 Helicopter and Cessna 172; “Swamp Tours”

For a fee, attendees can purchase rides in five different aircraft. Commemorative Air Force, Airbase Georgia will provide Beechcraft T-34B Mentor and Fairchild PT-19A Cornell flights for purchase. The Beechcraft T-34B Mentor is an American propeller-driven, single-engined, military trainer aircraft derived from the Beechcraft Model 35 Bonanza. The Fairchild PT-19A is a historic Tuskegee Airmen Trainer serving at Moton Field from 1943 to 1944. Interested parties may purchase T-34 or Fairchild PT-19 rides in advance of the event at https://airbasegeorgia.org/event/gator-fly-in-gainesville-fl/or walk-up tickets can be purchased at the UAC booth in the Mustang Hangar ($295 for 20 minutes; $395 for 30 minutes.) The Commemorative Air Force is also providing P51-D Mustang Rides ($2500 for 20 minutes). Interested parties may purchase P-51D rides in advance of the event at CAF Gunfighter Rides (p51gunfighter.com)

Walk-up tickets can also be purchased at the event. In addition, UAC is offering “Swamp Tours” lasting about 15 minutes, in which passengers can fly over the UF Football Stadium in a Cessna 172 ($50) or a Bell 47-G or Robinson R-44 helicopter ($50).

A wide variety of general aviation, corporate, aerobatic, glider and homebuilt aircraft are expected at the Gator Fly-In.

All branches of the military have been invited to fly in and participate in the event’s static display. As of this news release, confirmed military aircraft include UH-60 Blackhawk, Boeing P-8 Poseidon, North American T-6 Texan, TH-73A Thrasher, and T-34B Mentor, as well as Shandscair Helicopter and Alachua County Sheriff’s Office Helicopter, and Life South Bloodplane aircraft. Confirmed military aircraft will be updated as they are scheduled. We also expect aircraft manufacturers, privately owned aircraft and law enforcement aircraft to be on display. All aircraft and pilots are subject to change due to weather, mechanicals and availability.

A schedule for the day follows:

1. 9 a.m. Vendors arrive for set up
2. Pre-Event: 8:30 a.m. – 11 a.m. First Annual Col. Joe “Pamcake” Breakfast
3. 10 a.m. – aircraft arrive and park; all aircraft parked by 10:45 a.m.
4. 11 a.m. – Public Arrive; helicopter and airplane rides begin
5. 11 a.m. Live Music, food trucks
6. 1 p.m. Opening Ceremony
7. 1:15 p.m. Flown West Ceremony for Commander Lt. Col. Richard “Spad” McSpadden
8. 1:20 p.m. Speakers begin
9. 2:30 p.m. People’s choice and Best of Show Airplane Contest Announced
10. 3 p.m. Final thank you and prep for departures

Please tell your flying friends and anyone who would rather be “flying in.” For more information on the Gator Fly-In and Armed Services Appreciation Day, please contact Pam Landis at paml@universityaircenter.com or phone (352) 416-0787, visit the Gator Fly-In Facebook page or https://www.flygainesville.com

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ALACHUA ‒ In an inspiring blend of cuisine and generosity, restaurants are joining the fight against cancer by participating in Relay for Life and donating a portion of their sales to the cause.

This past Wednesday, March 6, 2024, City of Alachua Commissioners and staff donned their restaurant aprons, serving breakfast and lunch at Mi Apa Latin Café in Alachua.

Known as “Stick a Fork in Cancer,” this event is replicated across the country as inspiration and support for those affected by cancer. Last Wednesday, the Alachua Mi Apa donated 25 percent of proceeds during the day to the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life.

There were two shifts of volunteer servers, one for breakfast and one for lunch, staffed by City of Alachua staff and elected officials. The breakfast shift was run by City of Alachua Mayor Gib Coerper, Alachua Police Department (APD) Chief Jesse Sandusky, Assistant City Manager Rodolfo Valladares, APD Lieutenant Jason Moses and APD Officer Thomas Stanfield. The lunch shift included Commissioners Jennifer Blalock, Shirley Green Brown and Ed Potts as well as City Manager Mike DaRoza and Public Information Officer Kyler Burk.  

“The turnout from the community was nothing short of spectacular,” Coerper said. “It was a great event for an even greater purpose.”

The heartwarming initiative not only served up delicious meals and enjoyable company but also contributed to critical funding needed for cancer research, patient support, and community.

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GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA (March 21, 2024) – The Santa Fe Winds will include traditional classics along with new musical selections in the annual “Spring Winds and Classics” concert at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 4, 2024, in the Lyceum at the Northwest Campus of Santa Fe College, 3000 NW 83 Street, Gainesville. The Lyceum is the renovated auditorium in Building E on the west side of campus.

The concert is free, but tickets are required because of limited seating. For tickets, call the Santa Fe College (SF) Box Office at 352-395-4181 or visit Showpass online at: showpass.com/spring-winds-and-classics.

“I invite people to come out for a joyful experience in the Lyceum, the home of the Santa Fe Winds,” said SF Associate Professor of Music and Band Director David L. Smith, who will direct the 11 musicians. “You’ll hear some of the greatest pieces from the classical wind repertoire that feature students performing challenging selections in different styles.”

New selections on the program this year include “Fanfare and Flourishes,” written in 1991 by American tuba player James Curnow; “Nimrod” from “Enigma Variations” by English composer Edward Elgar, written between 1898-1899; and “March of the Belgian Paratroopers,” written during World War II by Belgian composer Pierre Leemans.

The opening fanfare in Curnow’s “Fanfare and Flourishes” gives way to Renaissance-inspired melodies that feature multiple sections of the Santa Fe Winds in turn.

The title of “Nimrod” in Elgar’s “Enigma Variations” refers to the composer’s publisher, Augustus Jaeger, because “Jäger” in German means “hunter” and Nimrod was the name of a great hunter in the Bible. “Nimrod” was played at the funerals of Princess Diana and His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

Leemans wrote “March of the Belgian Paratroopers” in one night, basing the musical themes on one of his earlier compositions.

“For our students, there is nothing like the experience of performing in front of a live audience,” Smith explained. “The reward for the audience is that you can take something with you when you leave, because music has the power to do what words cannot—change your mood, relieve stress and inspire you!”

“Spring Winds and Classics” is organized and sponsored by the Santa Fe College Fine Arts and Entertainment Technology Department.

HIGH SPRINGS ‒ This past weekend was a good time to be an art lover in High Springs as artists set up shop for the 2^nd Annual Art Fair on the Green. Set against the iconic backdrop of the historic High Springs downtown area, sparkling white canopied vendor tents sprung up along the green space where railroad tracks once guided trains carrying goods to points east and west.

But on Saturday and Sunday, the area along Northwest 185^th Road was transformed into an open-air gallery, inviting residents and visitors alike to explore the diverse range of artwork on display at the 2^nd Annual Art Fair on the Green. The art fair showcased the talents of both local and nonlocal artists, each contributing to the vibrant tapestry of the exhibit.

The free, family-friendly event featured artists in various mediums, from jewelry and paintings to ceramics and glass. Colorful pottery was displayed in booths next to displays of dazzling handmade jewelry and still others displaying acrylic and watercolor paintings. The outdoor gallery offered a visual feast that reflected the diversity and creativity of the artistic community that calls High Springs and North Central Florida home.

Scattered rain showers passed here and there through the area but did little to dampen the art enthusiasts who came out to see what this year’s two-day event had to offer until an approaching storm with gusty winds passed through. Reports of toppled tents, but no injuries were reported.

Gainesville artist Alfred Phillips took center stage at the exhibit with his creativity and vision, incorporating bold colors into this year’s Art Fair on the Green poster. Phillips specializes in acrylic painting, and according to his website, he has a four-year studio arts degree and enjoyed a successful career in commercial art. Phillips has received a number of awards and relocated to Gainesville in 2013. If you missed his exhibit at the Art Fair on the Green, you have another chance to see his works at the 52^nd Annual Santa Fe College Spring Arts Festival in Gainesville on April 13 and 14, 2024.

Additional art events are planned in High Springs with ArtWalks scheduled the third Saturday of March, April, May, October, November and December. The next ArtWalk is on tap March 16, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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