Photo credit: City of Midland

What to watch: The City of Midland’s free family aviation event, Fly Into Fall, returns to Midland Airpark on Saturday, Aug. 29, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Now in its fifth year, the event gives kids and adults an up-close look at planes and helicopters flown by local pilots, the Texas DPS, and the Commemorative Air Force, as well as airport fire trucks and rocket-racing equipment.

Retired NASA astronaut and U.S. Navy Capt. Tony Antonelli will be on site for special question-and-answer sessions with attendees at 10:30 a.m. and noon. Antonelli is a veteran of two Space Shuttle missions and logged more than 24 days in space. Over his career, he accumulated more than 4,700 flight hours in over 40 types of aircraft and completed 273 carrier landings.

The big picture: Beyond the aircraft displays, attendees can visit aviation and educational booths from Floris Flight Services, DV Aviation, Scout Aviation, Civil Air Patrol, Honor Flight, Midland International Air and Space Port, and other organizations throughout the day.

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Organizers are also inviting classic car owners to participate in the event’s first official car show. Vehicles can register on site between 8 and 9:30 a.m. Awards, including Best in Show, People’s Choice, and Mayor’s Choice, will be presented at 1 p.m.

Those who want to start the morning early can join the “Run the Runway” race on the Midland Airpark runway before Fly Into Fall begins. A one-mile run or walk starts at 7:15 a.m., followed by the 5K at 7:35 a.m. You can find registration details and other information at The Athletic Company.

Go deeper:

  • 7:15 a.m. — Run the Runway one-mile run/walk
  • 7:35 a.m. — Run the Runway 5K
  • 8–9:30 a.m. — Car show registration
  • 9 a.m. — Fly Into Fall gates open
  • 9:30 a.m. — Grand Marshal arrival
  • 10 a.m. — Commemorative Air Force fly-in
  • 10:15 a.m. — Free T-shirt giveaways
  • 10:30 a.m. — Astronaut Tony Antonelli Q&A
  • Noon — Astronaut Tony Antonelli Q&A
  • 12:30 p.m. — Free T-shirt giveaways
  • 1 p.m. — Car show awards
  • 2 p.m. — Gates close