Collings Foundation Returns; Bruce Springsteen Tribute Band Headlines 2017 AirFest

Collings Foundation Wing of Freedom Tour, B-17 Flying Fortress, B-24 Liberator, B-25 Mitchell and P-51 Mustang

Naval Air Station Wildwood (NASW) Aviation Museum is excited to announce the return of its annual fundraiser, AirFest, over Labor Day weekend, Friday, Sept. 1 through Monday, Sept. 4. The event is bigger and better in celebration of the museum’s 20th anniversary. As always, the Collings Foundation “Wings of Freedom” tour will be in attendance throughout the weekend with the iconic World War II aircraft, B-17 Flying Fortress, B-24 Liberator, B-25 Mitchell and P-51 Mustang available for tours and rides! AirFest 2017 also boasts a host of other family fun activities throughout the entire weekend. Live musical entertainment will be provided each day starting Friday with Jack Melton & the Swing Time Band, and continuing with weekend headliners Animal House Band on Saturday and The E Street Shuffle – a tribute to the “Boss” – on Sunday. Also playing Sunday is the band Reign, and Just In Time finishes out the festival on Monday. A special guest speaker, Mr. David Wisnia, Auschwitz Survivor and WWII vet, will talk about his experience in the concentration camps as well as his time in the service and life after on Saturday morning before the musical entertainment begins. Also entertaining throughout the weekend are DJ Ted Schwartz with his 1940s radio show and DJ Skip Kerr.

In addition to all the live and exciting entertainment, the hangar will be lined with vendors offering a variety of goods and information. Along with the vendors inside the hangar, a drone cage will be available for guests to test their skills. Use one of the museum’s drones or bring your own to enjoy the experience. As if there won’t be enough to do already, most of the museums regular exhibits will also be open and available for viewing during the festival. Food and beverages will also be offered for purchase including a beer and wine garden for those 21 and older with ID. Tickets can be purchased online at www.usnasw.org or at the gate. Members of NASW Aviation Museum receive free entry as per their membership level. The festival will be open Friday, Sept. 1 through Sunday, Sept. 3 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Monday, Sept. 4 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. This weekend-long festival is sure to be blast from the past and blast for the entire family. Join the museum staff in giving the past a future!

Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum is located in Historic Hangar #1 at the Cape May Airport. The airport was once Naval Air Station Wildwood, which served as a World War II dive-bomber training center. The museum is dedicated to the 42 airmen who perished while training at Naval Air Station Wildwood between 1943 and 1945. For information on becoming a member and receiving the challenge coin, call (609) 886-8787 or visit www.usnasw.org.