42nd Annual International Seaplane Fly-In Starts Tomorrow

Folks in the Moosehead Lake region will be treated to seaplanes galore this weekend, as the 42nd Annual International Seaplane Fly-In Starts Thursday!

One of the things I love about where I live is that we have a man in our neighborhood who has a couple of seaplanes. And, since we live right at the end of the pond, it's not unusual to see the seaplane soaring up over our tree line. I've never flown in a seaplane, but I think landing on the water must be fun!

This Thursday through Sunday, anyone who loves seaplanes should head to Greenville over the weekend. Organizers say Thursday and Friday's events are largely for the pilots, including registration and get-togethers.

But on Saturday, there will be a pancake breakfast at the Masonic Hall on Pritham Avenue, starting at 7 a.m. A craft fair will be held in Downtown Greenville throughout the day on Saturday and Sunday, and the American Legion on Pritham Avenue will be serving food all day.

Staring at around 10 o'clock Saturday morning, most of the activities will take place at the Greenville Municipal Airport and the Seaplane Base. There will be a bomb drop, spot landing, take-off contest, taxi slalom, and a 'Bush Pilots Canoe Race,' which was invented in Greenville. The Canoe Race features a plane and canoe that take off at the same time to see which one arrives at their destination first. Then they tie the canoe to the plane and fly back to the starting place.

Angela Arno, executive director of the Moosehead Lake Region Chamber of Commerce says the event has grown year after year.

"It's almost like an annual reunion for some of the seaplane pilots, and Saturday in particular is a lot of fun for people who want to make a day trip to the Moosehead region. Those who have not experienced this in the past should absolutely try to make plans to join us this year or in the future."

Any events that can't take place due to weather will be rescheduled for Sunday at 10 a.m.