MANSFIELD — About 20 anxious children sat inside the Lahm Regional Airport at 10:30 a.m. Saturday hoping to catch a plane ride. But cloudy skies delayed planes from flying at the Mansfield Aviation Club’s annual Airport Day. 

Later, when the sun emerged, more than 100 children were registered and experienced free flights.

The eighth annual Mansfield Airport Day took place Saturday, July 1, and though it was scaled back for the first time this year, the day’s schedule included past favorites like free plane rides, a car show, a pancake breakfast and tours of a C-130 plane from the 179th Airlift Wing.

Six pilots were expected to offer children ages 8 to 17 free planes rides from 10 a.m. to noon, through the Young Eagles program. But two out-of-town pilots were grounded by weather, leaving only four to offer flights.

“We need certain weather to fly,” Green said. “Right now, we need about a 1,500-foot ceiling.”

Children excitedly waited their turn at the airport terminal when the flights began. 

One of the pilots, Streeter Clow, earned his pilot’s license four years ago and began taking children on flights in his 1965 Cessna.

“The excitement of the kids is the best part,” he said. “They love seeing their house, the mall.”

His father flew planes, so Clow was first introduced to aviation at around age 10. Now he’s building two planes of his own. He intends to earn a mechanics license and believes this is the best way to learn planes, inside and out.

He and other pilots opened up their hangars to offer up-close views for children and families. Plus, a C-130 plane from the 179th Airlift Wing was on display throughout the day.

A group of six cousins – Ella and Jakob Schmidt and Amelia, Will, Evan and Wade Hamilton – weren’t letting the rain ruin their day.

“The pancakes are really good,” said Ella Schmidt, 8, explaining her favorite part of the event.

Will Hamilton says he likes everything about Airport day, while Evan Hamilton was a fan of the car show.

The car, truck and cycle show, was sponsored by Milliron Auto Parts. Ron Odson, who calls himself the “car show promoter,” has organized the car shows every year.

Last year, he said, the parking lot was overflowing with more than 200 vehicles. This year, 85 had registered, with more than 30 awards.

Proceeds of the event benefit the United Way of Richland County.