planes, (no) trains, and automobiles
While our roots are firmly planted in a love for the outdoors, that’s far from the only passion driving our summer adventures. For us, classic cars hold just as big a place in our hearts. When the warmer months roll around, one of our favorite things to do is hit up as many car shows as possible. Whether it’s a small town gathering or a massive event that draws in thousands, we’re there for it. Shiny chrome, rusty patina, roaring engines, and rumbling exhaust. We make a point to support our local shows, like the one in Cygnet, OH, and we’ve made the trek to bigger gatherings too, like the annual show in Gas City, IN, which is always worth the drive. But this summer, something a little different (and a lot special) landed on our radar.
Right along State Route 53 in Fremont, OH, at the Fremont Airport, we found a true gem of an event: the Flyers & Tires Show. This was only their third annual gathering, but you wouldn’t have guessed it by the turnout. It had all the character of a seasoned event with the excitement of something still growing and finding its wings (pun intended). What set this show apart from the rest wasn’t just the wide variety of cars cruising in and out, it was the planes. That’s right: while you’re admiring vintage Mustangs and souped-up hot rods, you’ve also got small aircraft buzzing overhead, landing, and taking off like it’s the most natural thing in the world. Even a helicopter made an appearance. It was like a car show and an airshow had a baby and it was awesome.
Events like this aren’t unheard of, but they’re rare, and it felt like we struck gold finding one so close to home. There’s something incredibly cool about seeing a row of hot rods across from a line of small planes, all in the same space, with people who are just as enthusiastic about aviation as they are about muscle cars. One of the things we love most about car shows, aside from the cars themselves, is the people. And this show reminded us exactly why. It didn’t matter if someone was there for the wheels or the wings, everyone was friendly, eager to chat, and genuinely excited to be sharing their passion. It wasn’t the biggest show we’ve been to, we’ve seen gatherings with five cars and others with over 2,000, but in terms of fun, friendliness, and that special energy you only find at events like these, Flyers & Tires scored high. It was a relaxed, feel good kind of day that reminded us why we keep coming back to these shows year after year.
Although we’re more familiar with classic cars than aircraft, this event gave us a newfound appreciation for small planes. In fact, I inspect parts for these kinds of planes in my day job, but I rarely get the chance to see them up close like this. Being able to walk right up to them, peer into the cockpits, and get a close work at the inner workings was a nice benefit to such a show. As much as we love our hot rods, we found ourselves circling back to the aircraft section more than once. By the end of the day, we knew this wasn’t going to be a one time visit. Flyers & Tires has officially earned a spot on our summer “must do” list for next year and many more after that. If you’re into classic cars, small planes, or just looking for an event that’s rooted in community and full of good vibes, put this one on your radar.
Until next summer, we’ll be counting down the days.
