Grove City Airport's annual daylong celebration of flight is just 3 years old, but it is already making history -- and celebrating it.

The Springfield Township airfield will host the annual Oakley Kelly Day beginning at 10 a.m. Sunday. The event celebrates Kelly, a Grove City native who led the first transcontinental flight across the United States in 1923.

"The first year we were just kicking off the flying season and trying to bring people out to the airport," said Carol Paul of Elbow Street Aviation, the airport's fixed-base operator. "Before, we had to try to get people to come out. Now people are calling me to participate."

History will play an integral part in the event, which will honor the 80th anniversary of Kelly's flight. The day will also celebrate the 100th anniversary of aviation, marked by the Wright brothers' first flight.

A special program at noon will have include Slippery Rock University ROTC's Honor Guard and remarks about the airport and Kelly, according to John Inman, chairman of Grove City Borough's Airport Committee.

Armstrong Cable Services will cover the event with a video crew and will be broadcast later on local access Channel 19, Inman said.

Airplane and glider rides, skydiving, entertainment and static displays will be featured all day. And, according to Paul, there are more nonaviation features to this year's event.

"Even if you don't like airplanes, we'll have things to do," Paul said. "There will be entertainment all day."

Mercer Elementary School's sixth-grade chorus, Grove City High School's Show Choir, Dance Center Studios, Grove City Theatre Arts Guild and Mercer High School's Show Choir and Jazz Ensemble are all scheduled to perform. There will also be continuous 20-minute kids' golf clinics from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

For the first time, Paul offered local businesses and organizations the opportunity to act as a sponsor for the event. She said 17 did so, not including those based at the airport.

Their donations will help cover costs, such as renting two large tents for people to eat under since the airport's main hangar is being rented as a warehouse. Springfield Township volunteer firefighters will be selling concessions as a fund-raiser.

Paul said that a Leer jet will be there, as will several historic planes for display.

"There will be more and different static displays," Paul said. "People will be able to walk around and talk with the people who own them. It's more for historic value as opposed to recreation."

Paul estimated last year's attendance at between 1,000 and 1,200 people. She expects more this year with the added features, but noted that weather could play a factor. Oakley Kelly Day will go on rain or shine.

"If you've never been to the airport, come and see what's here," Paul said. "It's a great family place. Just come out and watch what's going on."