MANTEO, N.C. (WAVY) – The Wright Brothers National Memorial, in partnership with the First Flight Society, is celebrating National Aviation Day with free admission, ranger-led educational programs and an outdoor movie day.
According to a release from the National Park Service, National Aviation Day, celebrated annually Aug. 19, was established in 1939 to both honor the development of aviation and the birthday of Orville Wright.
There will be several activities at the Dare County Regional Airport and the Wright Brothers National Memorial throughout the day, and will end with a special viewing of Disney’s Up at the park.
The full schedule of activities can be found below:
- 10 a.m.-3 p.m.: Visit with Wright Brothers National Memorial rangers at the Dare County Regional Airport, where rangers will offer information about Wright Brothers National Memorial
- 11 a.m.-12p.m.: “Wind and Sand” with Ranger Adonis. Step back in history during this short walk to the actual site of the Wright brothers’ first powered flights. Discover why the Wrights chose Kitty Hawk for their flight experiments and what life was like in the Outer Banks.
- 1:30-2 p.m.: Park volunteer and aviation enthusiast Chip Walton explains the mechanics and wonders of flight in an engaging and understandable way. Meet Walton in the program tent.
- 2:30-3 p.m.: Local historian Danny Couch tells the stories of the other famous aviators to visit the Outer Banks, including Charles Lindbergh and Billy Mitchell. Meet Couch in the program tent.
- 3:30-4 p.m.: Admiral Joey Tynch (retired) shares stories from his career as a naval aviator and his current work as the instructor of the First Flight High School Aviation Program. Meet Tynch in the program tent.
- 7:15-8 p.m.: Explore the story of the Wright brothers and enjoy the sunset as you walk with Ranger Elizabeth to the top of Big Kill Devil Hill. The walk is a quarter of a mile each way. Meet on the back patio of the visitor center.
- 8:15-9:45 p.m.: Wright Brothers National Memorial will host a special outdoor showing of Disney’s animated movie, “Up,” rated PG. Bring your own blankets and chairs to watch the movie under the stars.
More information on National Aviation Day can be found here.