Candy falling from the sky might sound like a dream come true for most kids. And that’s exactly what’s going to happen this weekend at the Owensboro Isotopes R/C Club (remote controled airplanes) “FunFly” at their airfield at Lampkin Farm near Philpot.
According to Owensboro Isotopes R/C Club President Mike Murphy, the FunFly has been going on since about 1975. “It’s a blast! We have a good time with it. This happens every year on the weekend following July 4th.”
The 2015 FunFly is this Saturday, July 11th and Sunday, July 12th. Spectators are free and all ages are welcome.
Murphy says there are club members from as young as 11 up to 84 who will be flying their model planes all weekend long. A special roped-off section allows visitors to have a clear view of all the planes. Most bring lawn chairs.
“Spectators can expect to see everything from a five or six ounce model plane to a half-scale plane with a 16ft wingspan,” he said.
Everyone is welcome to stay as long or as little as they like. “Some even make it a weekend and camp overnight,” Murphy said. In the past, spectators have come from Illinois, Indiana, and all over Kentucky.
The candy drop is scheduled for 2pm Saturday and 1pm Sunday. One of the members has a plane with a small storage box that can be opened in flight. “We invite the kids to the center of the airstrip, then fly that plane over them and drop the candy down to them,” Murphy explained.
Picture a very, very high pinata busting open.
In addition to free parking, free admission, and a free candy drop, there are also some really nice door prizes to be given away this weekend, including a PlayStation3.
During lunch hours, concessions will be available. The money raised goes back into the club. Those who are interested can purchase raffle tickets as well.
Another fun activity club members will demonstrate is R/C aerial “combat,” where planes try to knock each other out of the sky. “Those planes in the combat are pretty inexpensive,” Murphy said. “So if they get banged up, the pilots will fix them and fly them again.”
There will also be remote controled skydivers, which are a fairly new addition. They can be dropped and steered to land right at the owner’s feet.
So if you’re looking for something new to do this weekend, take Mike’s advice and “bring a chair, come on out, eat a little, and watch some planes fly.”
Lampkin Farm airfield is located at 8284 Short Station Rd in Philpot. For directions and more information visit the Owensboro Isotope R/C Club website.
