Just about anything with wheels and wings was on display in north Clark County on Saturday, Aug. 22.
The Cedars North Fly-in and Car Show brought together airplanes, helicopters, show cars and community members on Aug. 22 at the Cedars North Airpark in Battle Ground.
Early Saturday, organizer Chris Prentice said this year’s event had already surpassed last year’s turnout in just a couple of hours, which he attributed in part to an expanded marketing effort.
“I love it. … I did a lot more marketing than last year,” Prentice said. “Started early. I flew around almost every airport within 50 nautical miles this year, which is a lot. And then advertised all over the internet, left flyers, QR codes, banners.”
Prentice said the event is intended to become an annual community gathering, with activities planned throughout the day.
“I think it's an awesome community event. Everyone loves airplanes,” he said.
The event also serves as a way to showcase the airpark and the community surrounding it. Prentice said 10 lots are expected to become available for airpark living as the development continues to grow.
“We're just trying to build an awesome community. All the neighbors here, everyone gets along great,” he said. “We're all into cars, trucks, planes, you name it.”
Prentice said the combination of aviation and automobiles gives the event a different feel from a traditional car show, with aircraft adding another attraction for visitors.
“You just don't see it as often. And so it's a little different than your normal car show,” he said.
Organizing the event required work from Prentice and other members of the community, including preparing the fields and coordinating the grounds.
“Everyone kicks in, helps out, you know, pitches in money and all their time,” Prentice said. “We're out here mowing fields, marking things multiple times this week. We've had a friend of mine bring in a water truck and water all the fields.”
Prentice said he expects the fly-in to continue to grow as more members of the aviation community learn about the event. Aircraft were expected from throughout the region, including Chehalis and Bend.
“I'm actually looking forward to it every year. I think it's just going to progressively become larger,” he said. “And then as the aviation community starts to find out more and more about it, I foresee this next year, possibly growing aviation wise.”
Prentice added the event has become something he looks forward to hosting each year, despite the work required to put it together.
On Aug. 22, other car shows provided collectors and enthusiasts additional opportunities to come together in the area. The Brush Prairie Car Show, Territorial Park Cruise-in located in Amboy, and VCMeet's annual show, gathering mostly modern car enthusiasts this year at Battle Ground High School, all helped provide an opportunity for vehicle lovers to come together.
