Gillette's Cruise-In Fly-In 2022

[Dave Baxter]

This is one of the last Fly-Ins of 2022. We try to attend most of them during the year, some turn out better than others. Attending this one is refreshing in that it is definitely a family event, young girls and boys without pink hair tattoos and shaved heads serving the food very politely asking if one wants more. The food was excellent, Its also known as the Jordan Chicken Run. Although this year they had ham instead of chicken, as the folks that supplied the chicken in the past were unable to do so this year. It started as a harvest festival years ago, and has morphed into a car show and about eight years ago or so. The Gillette boys encouraged airplane and pilot enthusiasts to join the fun and is now part of the event. Gillette's known as OR 51 is about 20 miles east of Salem Oregon out in the foothills of the cascades.

http://www.airnav.com/airport/OR51
I thought after not having it the last several years do to the madness and lock downs as far as aircraft attendance, it would be packed with airplanes. But was not to be, only about 50 airplanes this time, in 2019 they had over 80 airplanes. I told Dan on the way in keep an eye out for traffic as I thought it would be a zoo, but was not at all as expected airplanes wise in the traffic pattern.

As for the car show, it was every bit as big as in the past well over 300 cars, mostly show cars hot rods and classics. But not as many antique automobiles as in past years. I have posted some pictures to give those interested an idea, as so many of these events also have some really nice cars on display. Its just a cross section of the cars that attended, as well as the airplanes. I know this site is about aircraft, but many of us including me were hot rodders to begin with, and as such did not think those on this site would mind. Dave

 

[Dave Baxter]

 

[Dave Baxter]

 

[Jerry]

 

[Larry Lyons]

 

[footloose]

 

[Jerry]