N.C. Governor Michael F. Easley, together with N.C. Secretary Department of Cultural Resources Lisbeth C. “Libba” Evans, and Outer Banks Group Superintendent Lawrence Belli, announced plans for the yearlong First Flight Centennial Celebration. The celebration will incorporate events both in the Outer Banks and throughout the state, culminating with a six-day celebration at Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kitty Hawk, December 12-17, 2003.
“Few events in history have had so profound an impact as the invention of the airplane,” said Governor Easley. “It lifted us to new heights of freedom and brought us closer as a people. As the First Flight State, North Carolina is proud to host a celebration that will honor Wilbur and Orville Wright for their creativity, vision and perseverance.”
On December 12-17, 2003, Wright Brothers National Memorial will host an aviation festival designed to commemorate the last century of flight; celebrate the achievements of aviators throughout history; and inspire the next generation of aviators to further the Wright brothers’ dream.
“Wright Brothers National Memorial has hosted millions of aviation enthusiasts since our dedication in 1936,” said Belli. “We invite the world to join us in honoring the Wright’s historic feat and celebrating the impact of aviation on the course of history.”
The six-day event in December will begin on December 12, and will follow the schedule outlined below.
Dec. 12, 2003: IGNITING THE IMAGINATION – This day is designed to inspire the next generation of aviators by engaging children of all ages in the power of flight. Highlights include activities with NASA; interviews with the Wright Family children; Candy Bomber demonstrations; and a chance to soar with the Experimental Aircraft Association Young Eagles.
Dec. 13-14, 2003: REMEMBER THE PAST, IMAGINE THE FUTURE – This two-day festival will celebrate aviation’s impact over the last century and will feature appearances by historic aviators; exhibits chronicling this history of flight; aircraft demonstrations; and entertainment.
December 15, 2003: PROTECTING THE HOME OF THE BRAVE – Celebrating the impact of aviation in the military, this day is designed to honor those men and women who developed and flew military aircraft through the years. Highlights include military aircraft dating back to World War I and participation from the U.S. military stationed around the world.
December 16, 2003: IN HISTORY’S FOOTSTEPS, CELEBRATING 100 AVIATION PIONEERS. The N.C. Centennial Commission will hold a ceremony to honor 100 aviation heroes, as selected by the commission. In addition, the historic contributions of these individuals will be examined through film and exhibits.
December 17, 2003: 12 SECONDS THAT CHANGED THE WORLD – The celebration will culminate with the Experimental Aircraft Association’s re-creation of the single-most significant moment of the last century – the Wright brother’s first heavier-than-air powered flight which took off at precisely 10:35 a.m. and lasted 12 seconds, traveling 120 feet. Dignitaries, celebrities and aviation legends will be on-hand to celebrate and commemorate this occasion.
Events throughout the year at Wright Brothers National Memorial include a February 21-23 tribute to African-American aviators, which will feature the famed Tuskegee Airmen, and a March 13-16 tribute to female aviators, which will feature key women contributors in aviation history. In addition, the park will host a summer concert series, a celebration of Aviation Day on August 19, and the Commemoration of Gliders in October.
