BUCYRUS — A decorated Air Force veteran, historic planes and a new monument honoring a groundbreaking woman in aviation are coming together in Bucyrus this September for a weekend celebrating courage, history and high-flying fun.
The Lauretta Schimmoler Museum Inc. is bringing retired U.S. Air Force Colonel and former A-10 Warthog fighter pilot Kim “K.C.” Campbell to Bucyrus for a weekend packed with inspiring stories, leadership, aviation and family fun.
Campbell is an Air Force veteran who was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for Heroism after successfully recovering her battle-damaged A-10 following an intense close air support mission.
She also received the Leadership Achievement Award from the Air Force Academy.
The weekend of events begins Thursday, Sept. 17, and continues through Saturday, Sept. 19, giving the community multiple opportunities to hear Campbell’s remarkable story and celebrate the legacy of Lauretta Schimmoler, who was the first woman to establish an airport in the United States.
The weekend culminates in the 6th annual Pancake Fly-In at Port Bucyrus on Saturday, Sept. 19, where a new monument honoring Schimmoler will be unveiled at the very place where she made history.
“This is three days of excitement and fun for our 6th Annual Pancake Fly-in. We are excited to have Kim “K.C.” Campbell with us and invite the community to the Thursday evening event “Dinner with Kim Campbell” at the Venue at Old 30.
Being able to honor Lauretta Schimmoler and all her accomplishments with the monument Saturday, Sept. 19 at 11 a.m. will really be a special event” said Fred Fischer, Fly-in Director.
Thursday, Sept. 17 — Dinner to honor Campbell
The weekend begins at 6 p.m. Thursday at The Old 30 Venue, where Campbell will share her story and discuss her book, “Flying in the Face of Fear.” The evening includes dinner, a cash bar and a book signing.
Tickets are $35 per person and are available to the public.
Purchase tickets for the Kim Campbell event at this link.
Friday, Sept. 18 — Campbell hosts leadership talks
On Friday morning, the Lauretta Schimmoler Museum Inc. organized an event at Bucyrus High School, giving juniors and seniors at area schools in Crawford County the opportunity to hear first-hand about Campbell’s experiences with courage, leadership and overcoming challenges.
The student event is closed to the public.
Then, at 1:30 p.m., Campbell will be at Hord Family Farms for leadership training as part of a fundraising event for the Lauretta Schimmoler Museum Inc. The event is open to the public and a great opportunity for young adults, local business leaders and professionals.
Tickets are $40 per person.
Purchase tickets for the leadership event at this link.
Saturday, Sept. 19 — Pancake Fly-In offers a piece of history
The weekend wraps up with the sixth annual Pancake Fly-In at Port Bucyrus, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., bringing together aviation, family fun and a celebration of Bucyrus history.
The day begins with an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast served from 8 a.m. to noon at the Hord Hangar for $10 per person; children under 8 eat free. A balloon launch will take place from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m.
Aviation enthusiasts can get an up-close look at historic aircraft from the Liberty Aviation Museum in Port Clinton, including the TBM Avenger, B-25 “Georgie’s Gal” and Ford Tri Motor.
Ford Tri-Motor rides will be available beginning at 9 a.m., with rides starting at $100.
Families will find plenty to do throughout the day, including bounce houses, a corn sandbox, an airplane train and a kiddie tractor pull, with registration beginning at 9 a.m. and pulls starting at 10 a.m.
The event will also feature a car show, flea market, antique tractors, World War II aircraft, a drone demonstration and food trucks.
One of the day’s highlights will be the dedication of a new monument honoring Lauretta Schimmoler, recognized as the first woman in the United States to establish an airport. The monument will be dedicated south of the new terminal building at Port Bucyrus, at the site where Schimmoler’s aviation legacy began.
The dedication ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. and will include a performance by the men’s choir “United in Harmony,” the monument unveiling and speakers highlighting Schimmoler’s legacy, impact on Bucyrus and the surrounding community.
Campbell will also be available for a book signing during the Pancake Fly-In, with copies of her book available for purchase.
For more information, visit our website: https://laurettamuseum.org/
For media information or interview opportunities, contact Fred Fischer at flyin@laurettamuseum.org.
