A parachute-full of anniversaries was celebrated Sunday during Grove City Airport's third annual Oakley Kelly Day.

They included the 100th anniversary of powered flight by the Wright Brothers, the 80th anniversary of hometown hero Oakley Kelly who flew the first transcontinental flight, and a certain special 500th anniversary that an 11-year-old Mercer boy took part in.

Shawn Rockenfelder, a sixth-grader at Mercer Elementary School, was the 500th youngster to get a free plane ride by Chapter 1287 of the Experimental Aircraft Association as part of its Young Eagles Flight program. The program's goal is to give a million kids between the ages of 8 and 17 a free flight experience.

"I think it's going to be fun," Shawn said before his flight.

Many people attending the event agreed.

"I love it. You could have two more a year," said Joe Baker, 59, of Springfield Township.

Baker, a former Navy aviator, said he comes to the airport a lot to watch the skydivers from Skydive USA nearby. He was watching many of them Sunday as the sky was periodically filled with a rainbow of parachutes and parachutists floating to the ground.

"I like airplanes. I think (the airport) could be a help to the businesses surrounding it. It takes money to make money and it takes places to make money," Baker said.

"It gives people something to do -- breaking up the monotony of everyday life," said Keith Redfoot, 41, of Harrisville. He was accompanied by his wife Donna and children Amanda, 7, and Chris, 5. "I read about the plane rides and the events. The kids wanted to come."

Activities included plane rides, glider rides, skydiving, music and craft vendors.

"I've never really been out to the airport and I've lived here my whole life," said Mary Dunkerley, 59, of Grove City. Mrs. Dunkerley's daughter was one of the vendors, selling candles. "It's very worthwhile for the community, and this time in our life we need something eventful that everyone can enjoy, people of all ages," she said, referring to the war in Iraq.

"We wanted to get a first-hand look at the small planes, maybe try skydiving," said Kundan Bhatia, 72, of Slippery Rock. "It's a wonderful idea. People of all ages come here, not just out of curiosity, but a future interest in flying."

Rob Kirkpatrick, 30, of Hubbard, was hoping to create a future flying interest in his 16-month-old son Colin when he and his girlfriend, Heather Appley, 23, decided to take him up in a four-seater Cessna 172.

"I have the utmost confidence in all these guys here," he said, referring to the pilots. Kirkpatrick, a student glider pilot, thought the event was great for the airport and the surrounding area.

"Just look around. It's kind of obvious," he said, gesturing toward the crowd, which totaled about 700 at the event's end, according to an airport official. "It's giving exposure to so many things, aviation especially."

John Spatara, 42, of Sharpsville, and his 12-year old son Michael concurred. "It's a nice thing, family thing. Michael enjoys planes. I learned to fly here. We both came up for the day to look around. It's fun," he said.

You can e-mail Herald Staff Writer Sherris Moreira-Byers at sbyers@sharonherald.com

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