What to do when the temperature plummets?
In Wisconsin, they held the Waukesha JanBoree Jan. 13-22, 2023, billed as Wisconsin’s Premier Winter Festival.
Activities included survival skills camp, geocaching, ice bocce, solar observing, wildlife exploration, a 5K run, an ice sculpting competition, Alaskan Malamute weight pull, and beer gardens (it is Wisconsin after all), among many other activities and events.
Two aviation-themed activities also made the list, held at Waukesha County Airport/Crites Field (KUES).
The Crites Field Flannel Fly-In encouraged attendees to “sport your favorite flannel and come out to Crites Field for some flying fun.”
The day at KUES included displays from airport businesses and locally owned aircraft, including some from the Commemorative Air Force.
Following day-time activities, a showing of the movie “Top Gun Maverick” was held inside the Atlantic Aviation hangar at Waukesha County Airport.
It is common for the county to host events at the airport. The movie this year was new, officials noted.
“We positioned a T-33 on one side of the screen and an SNJ on the other side. Other aircraft in the hangar were roped off,” said Fly-In Cinema Organizer Scott Fisher from Gift of Wings. “We had no idea how many people would show up — 50 or 500? We packed the hangar with more than 650 people.”
Fisher has both the experience and equipment for movie showings. His Gift of Wings regularly hosts Summer Night Movies outside his store at Veterans Park along Milwaukee’s lake front.
Fisher noted his Gift of Wings staff made and sold food and popped popcorn all during the movie, giving away more than 500 free bags.
“It was a hit.”
