The Alva Tourism Committee was treated to a contrast of old and new events during their Wednesday, Feb. 21, meeting. Committee members heard funding requests from the Nescatunga Arts Festival and a combined air race and air show event. Members present for the meeting were Chairman Norville Ritter, Jaunita Dotson, Dr. Charles Tucker and Terri Parsons. The fifth seat on the committee, which had been held by Bryce Benson, is vacant until a new city council representative is appointed by the mayor.

Nescatunga Arts Festival

Held the first Saturday in June (June 2 this year), the 49th annual Nescatunga Arts Festival is the longest continuously running art festival in Oklahoma. It began in 1969. Others may have begun earlier but have not run continuously.

Charla Parker talked to the committee about the event, which is held on Alva's downtown square with a rain location at the Woods County Fairgrounds. Last year the committee approved $15,300 for the festival. This year, the amount requested was a little lower at $14,250. The festival gives artists a way to display and sell their works while competing for prizes. Crafters will also have displays to sell items. Food booths and varied entertainment will round out the one-day event. The event also raises funds for scholarship awards in the arts.

This year the judge will be Brian Davis. He will be teaching an oil painting workshop at the Graceful Arts Gallery in Alva the following week and has agreed to arrive a couple of days early to judge the show.

Entertainment will include the Helena Lions Club little train and the popular pony rides. Boss Music will handle the sound, and Ridge Hughbanks plans to return as emcee provided the date doesn't conflict with his state FFA duties. In addition, a number of locals will show off talents such as vocal and instrumental music as well as dancing.

Parker said the number of exhibitors was down a little last year but the dollar amount of sales was up. Rain dampened the show for much of the day.

The money requested will go to pay for advertising, artist cash awards, ribbons, special entertainment and Boss Music.

The committee voted to approve the full $14,250 requested from tourism tax funds.

Air Race and Show

An enthusiastic April Mills brought a thick notebook filled with plans and a poster of colorful designs to tell the committee about a race and air show set a little later in June. Mills is marketing manager for Plane Plastics, an after-market aviation parts manufacturer at the Alva Regional Airport.

She said Kinzie Industries and Plane Plastics will be celebrating 35 years in business this year. The Kinzies started Plane Plastics before selling it to the current owners. Then the Air Race Classic indicated they wanted to make Alva a stop on their 2018 itinerary. It was decided to combine the race with an air show over a four-day period.

The Air Race Classic will start off from Sweetwater, Texas, on Tuesday, June 19, with Alva as the first stop on the two day, 2400 mile race for female pilots. Alva is one of eight designated stops for rest breaks and refueling. Mills said it's expected that most of the pilots will stop in Alva to refuel as waiting for the next stop might run them too low on fuel.

The race clock stops when the planes land so pilots can take as long or short a break as they want. Mills said the stop locations compete for an award voted by the pilots as the best stop. At Alva there will be restroom facilities including porta-potties and a meal. Pilots may choose from a hot sit-down meal or a grab-and-go. Pilots will also be given t-shirts and commemorative coins.

On Wednesday, June 20, the Young Eagles program will come to Alva. Formed to encourage the interest of young people in aviation, the pilots will be offering free rides to kids ages 8-15. The rides are booked in advance online.

The Wings Over the Prairie Air Show will begin on Friday evening, June 22, with pilots invited to fly in and camp at the airport. Shuttles will also be provided for those who wish to spend the night in motels. The evening will feature movies under the stars with the films projected onto a white wall. The meal that evening is designated as a "town feed" with everyone invited to come out to eat and visit with the arriving pilots.

Saturday, June 23, will include a full day of events starting with a breakfast for pilots and volunteer helpers. (Plenty of volunteers will be needed.) Pilots and VIP visitors will also be fed.

Entertainment is still being booked for the show, but Mills said they have stunt pilots coming as well as Kevin Lacey of Discovery Channel airplane repo fame. A kid zone will feature activities and displays for younger visitors. Several aircraft related distributors and organizations will have exhibit booths. There will be food trucks to provide refreshments to visitors attending.

Asked how they're getting the word out, Mills cited postcards being sent to all registered pilots in the state of Oklahoma. Plane Plastics will send information to their extensive customer list. They plan to launch a Facebook page for the event on March 1. They're also contacting numerous aviation organizations. This year is the 75th anniversary of the WASPs so they're invited. A group of female pilots, the 99's, are also being contacted.

Committee members wanted to know if Mills and her organization have experience with air shows. She said that she attends the Sun Fun six-day show in Lakeland, Florida, and the big OshKosh show in July. She hopes to be at a two-day show in Alaska in May.

Although the Air Race Classic stops change from year to year, Mills said they'd like to continue holding air shows every two years.

The committee approved the request for $15,000 which is to be used for advertising, meals, best of show banners, porta-potty rentals, fuel for the shuttle and hats. Total expenses for the show are estimated at $35,417.56. The rest of the money will come from sponsorships, banner sales, and donations.

Other Business

The committee approved minutes of the last meeting. They heard a financial report from Chamber Director Alex Mantz. Before that night's awards, the committee had $522,390.36 in the bank available to spend.

Marione Martin

Charla Parker talks about plans for the 49th annual Nescatunga Arts Festival in Alva June 2. She spoke Wednesday to the Alva Tourism Committee.

A video of the meeting may be seen at http://www.AlvaReviewCourier.com.