Stafford goes quackers

STAFFORD — Stafford residents of all ages came out to see the many festivities offered at Wings, Wheels and Ducks at Stafford Regional Airport on Sunday.

The event was held from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. on a clear, sunny day.

Sponsored by Stafford Rotary Club, the area was abuzz with activities for all members of the family including a moon bounce for children, booths with information on many organizations and causes, food and beverage stands as well as plane demonstrations and an antique car show. Local aviators, car owners, business people and even military personnel came out to enjoy a day that most described as positive, with a surprisingly large turnout. The annual event donates its proceeds to charities and community projects.

The famous Stafford duck races, held in the Rappahannock River until 2007, had become a part of the Wings, Wheels and Ducks event due to ever-increasing concerns with water levels in the river. In light of this, 10,000 of the beloved, sunglass-toting rubber fowl were placed in a large crate, suspended high above and dropped to the ground below instead. Participants could adopt a duck and have their name entered as the owner of one of the numbers and possibly win the grand prize of a Caribbean Cruise and $500. Runners up had a chance at $1000 or 52 free car washes at Rio Car Wash.

A large area was cleared off so aviators and builders alike could come and show off their planes as well. The Young Eagles, a group dedicated to getting children more interested in aviation, was present as well, including local resident Scott Huff, a pilot and plane owner.

“My involvement here at Wheels, Wings and Ducks has traditionally been giving rides to young kids, to expose them to aviation in hopes someday they aspire to be a pilot as well,” he said.

He then went on to compliment the amount and diversity of the types of vehicles present at the show.

Across the lot was a wide array of cars ranging from brand new to antiquity. No one was able to come up with a precise count, though around 150 was offered as a guess. Vehicles of all shapes and sizes appeared there, including a massive monster truck with the words “Raging Rebel” painted in large letters across its door. Several car collectors and enthusiasts arrived to show off their vehicle of choice, including the sizeable group of Mustang-enthusiasts “Stangs and Fangs of Fredericksburg”. Next to the car lot was the motorcycle display, where their riders could take a lap or two around an enclosed loop. Vehicles were also displayed by Stafford Volunteer Fire Department #2, Life Evac, and Life Net among others.

Nearby, the United States Marine Corps had set up two cargo helicopters for display, allowing families to enter the rear hatch and see inside. Several military personnel were present in order to answer questions people might have had about what they or their units did. At a related booth, unloaded weapons were on display alongside tools, vehicles, equipment and body armor, all of which dated as far back as 1944 to 1970.

Wayne Robinson, retired from U.S. Army, remarked: “This is so people can see what the military is really like and what we went through in the 1960s and 70s.”

Robinson also pointed out that they were teaching curious people how to properly handle weapons and how to avoid injury.

The U.S. Marine Corps put on a show with its Silent Drill Platoon, under the orders of Capt. John Greenwood. The show wowed the on-looking crowd.

Stafford Supervisor Harry Crisp of the George Washington District said the event had a great turnout.

“I’m glad I came,” Crisp said, “I think this is a great thing for the county. It’s a great opportunity for people to come out and see our airport… [And] just have some fun.”

Nearby, Brooke Point High School set up a stand to raise money for its Interact Club, which specializes in service-based projects, by selling pumpkins the people themselves decorate and stylize in their own unique way.

The president of the Interact Club and a Brooke Point senior, Amanda Krick, said: “This is a big hit… We’re probably going to do this every year from now on.”

Jeffrey Mitchell is a contributing writer at the Stafford County Sun. Reach him at info@staffordcountysun.com.