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Flying high at the air show

| 20 Aug 2015 | 03:22
    That is Carol Pilon atop the plane doing her wing-walking act.
    That is Carol Pilon atop the plane doing her wing-walking act.
    Messenger photographer Don Webb hitched a ride one early morning with Marty "Raider" Sheehan and got some great views of Greenwood Lake and the whole West Milford area.
    Messenger photographer Don Webb hitched a ride one early morning with Marty "Raider" Sheehan and got some great views of Greenwood Lake and the whole West Milford area.
    Gary Ward takes time to meet manhy of the fans and to sign autographs.
    Gary Ward takes time to meet manhy of the fans and to sign autographs.
    The Army Air Force Association put on a Bob Hope Show for the crowd before the Greenwood Lake AirShow.
    The Army Air Force Association put on a Bob Hope Show for the crowd before the Greenwood Lake AirShow.
    Ron Scalice, right, with his 2010 Pontiac Trans Am, took "Best in Show" at the car show Sunday. With him is his son Mike Scalice.
    Ron Scalice, right, with his 2010 Pontiac Trans Am, took "Best in Show" at the car show Sunday. With him is his son Mike Scalice.
    Can you imagine...
    Can you imagine...
    Have a Coke and a smile! Members of the Army Air Forces Historical Association are dressed in period costume from the World War II era giving out old fashioned bottles of Coke.
    Have a Coke and a smile! Members of the Army Air Forces Historical Association are dressed in period costume from the World War II era giving out old fashioned bottles of Coke.
    It was a perfect weekend to take the family out to the air show. Eyes were focused high in the sky as pilots raced and performed stunts. There was lots to do on the ground too. Go to page 2 for more on the Greenwood Lake Air Show. And be sure to go to westmilfordmessenger.com for more great photos by Don Webb.
    It was a perfect weekend to take the family out to the air show. Eyes were focused high in the sky as pilots raced and performed stunts. There was lots to do on the ground too. Go to page 2 for more on the Greenwood Lake Air Show. And be sure to go to westmilfordmessenger.com for more great photos by Don Webb.

WEST MILFORD — Huge crowds showed up at the 7th annual Greenwood Lake Air Show last weekend. Picture perfect weather and an estimated 31,000 fans were on hand for three days of high-flying stunts, races and acrobatics high above the airport.

"Thanks for all the support from all the hard-working staff, and to the West Milford police, fire department and first aid squad," said Tim Wagner, manager of the airport who also runs the air show. "Next year's air show is already in the works."

There was plenty to do on the ground as well. Saturday and Sunday had car shows with nearly 100 cars entered. The Army Air Forces Historical Association set up a large museum inside one of the hangars at the airport where everyone could see artifacts from the World War II era. Tuskegee Airman Eugene Richardson was on hand. He met and talked with many who were interested in his story.

Volunteers from the navy sold hamburgers, hot dogs, sausage and peppers, lemonade and many other foods to raise funds to offset the cost of going to the Navy Ball.

West Milford's own Farmer Phil Band entertained on Saturday before the planes took to the sky.

And that was the main event. Those thousands of people came from all over the tri-state area to the show to see what was happening in the sky. And what a show it was. West Milford Messenger photographer Don Webb was the master of ceremonies yet again this year. In addition to his official duties at the show, he also protected those in the crowd from the sun, giving away sunscreen to anyone who needed it. And there certainly was a need. Temperatures were in the 90s for much of the three days with bright sunshine and blue skies.

Jerry McCart's super charged rocket car Wicked Willy raced against stunt pilot Gary Ward's MX2 plane and won on Saturday! Wing walker Carol Pilon was a huge hit, grabbing "ooos and ahhhs" from all in attendance.

What was your favorite part of the air show? Go to westmilfordmessenger.com and tell us. Also, see more photos of the show by Don Webb on our website.