The summer is flying by, and with this year’s Barnstorming Carnival now in the books, it’s hard to believe how quickly the season is passing. The chirps of cicadas and the golden weight of afternoon heat remind us that July is already marching on.
While the forecast kept our Cub in the hangar this time, we were once again part of the kids’ activities—helping little hands build penny planes and launch rockets into the sky. It’s a small act, but the joy is contagious.
Rockets and Penny Planes
Watching a child’s eyes light up as they count down to liftoff, then chase the spinning rocket as it arcs into the air, is a memory that lingers long after the tents come down.
This year, 30 airplanes made it to the field. Saturday had good flying weather and a solid turnout, though Sunday’s lower ceilings kept many aircraft grounded.
Still, the ramp was filled with stories—like the Champ whose owner spoke of it like a longtime love. It was his grandfather’s airplane, and you could hear the devotion in his voice. Given the time, energy, and emotion we all pour into these machines, it felt completely appropriate.
We were happy to see our friends from South Carolina arrive in their Waco cabin.
With the cancellation of the Tuesday fly-in at Hagerstown and the invitation-only stop at the farm, the rhythm of the traditional pre-Oshkosh route has shifted a bit this year. That made the fly-in at Brodhead even more of a milestone on the way north.
This time around, the restorer and I had the luxury of enough volunteers that we could wander a bit—catch up with friends, admire airplanes, and enjoy simple moments like watching our South Carolina friends take a ride in the rumble sest of Ford Model A.
One of my favorite moments came Sunday afternoon, when Dewey made his rounds to thank the volunteers. He had his daughter in his arms—no longer quite a baby—placing stickers on his shirt as he chatted.
It’s funny how the passing of time feels more real in those tiny details. Watching her grow up, year after year, is a quiet marker of how fast these summers move.
We also caught up with several friends we hadn’t seen in a while, and even got to sign a few autographs. A friend brought calendars for both the restorer and another of our local pilots to sign—the Cub featured on one page, the Monocoupe on another. It was the restorer’s first autograph, and he was flattered by the request.
Brittany’s Photos
Brittany was on the field again this year, camera in hand but spending more time on the ground than in the air. Her day job is affiliated with the airport hosting the event, and she mentioned she had a few photo shoots scheduled in the coming weeks ahead of Oshkosh.
Since last year’s carnival, she’s had several pieces published in EAA publications—both articles and photos. Here’s a link to some of Brittany’s other work
I asked if she planned to be in the WomenVenture photo at Oshkosh, which surprised her. She assumed it was only open to women pilots. As a woman working in aviation and taking flight lessons, I told her she’s more than qualified and sent her the schedule and the shirt link—I hope she’ll be in the photo this year.
While this year’s carnival was more low-key than some in the past, it remained, as always, an ode to the golden age of aviation.
It was also a reminder that every generation deserves the chance to fall in love with flight. And maybe, just maybe, that love starts with a paper rocket, a walk around a Monocoupe, or in a pedal plane racing around a pylon.
As we packed up and made our way home on Sunday, the restorer and I started mentally tallying our Oshkosh prep list. Summer flying season isn’t over yet—not by a long shot. There are more memories to make, more airports to visit, and more young minds to inspire.
If you missed earlier reflections, here are a few past posts worth revisiting:
Oshkosh Memories & WomenVenture
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