World War II-Era Middle Keys Airport to Celebrate 75 Years of Service
MARATHON, Florida Keys — A vital Middle Keys airways connection to the mainland, the Florida Keys Marathon International Airport is to recognize 75 years of service in a family-friendly celebration set for Saturday, Oct. 20, in Marathon.
Visitors, Keys residents, pilots and history buffs are invited to fly or drive in to commemorate the U.S. Navy’s 1943 construction of the airfield during World War II.
Aircraft ranging from antique to contemporary and rare to commercial are to be on display, including home-built and light-sport aircraft, World War II military War Birds and rescue aircraft used by the sheriff’s department Trauma Star program and the U.S. Coast Guard.
The free-admission event also features food, beverages, antique car displays, live music and kids’ fun. “Farmer Jeanne” is to appear with some of the animals from the Monroe County Sheriff’s Animal Farm petting zoo.
All activities are to take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the Marathon General Aviation ramp located at 9850 Overseas Highway bayside.
In addition, the Middle Keys Chapter of the Experimental Aircraft Association’s on-site aviation museum is to be open to visitors. Located at the east end of the airport, the EAA museum houses some of the most treasured aviation artifacts in the Florida Keys. They include pieces from World War II, books, videos and a beacon that was on the ground when the airport was built.
A hangar space behind the small museum houses a Beechcraft Model 18. Visitors can climb inside the twin-engine cargo plane that transported passengers including military officers during World War II or sit inside the eye-catching 1942-era military DC-3.
Event information: monroecounty-fl.gov/792/Marathon-Airports-75th-Anniversary-Celeb or 305-289-6060
Marathon visitor information: fla-keys.com/marathon or 1-800-262-7284
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Image: SkyVector
