Local families, visitors and aviation enthusiasts celebrated the many benefits of the San Martin Airport at the annual Food Truck Fly-In May 21.
Attendees were able to walk the airport’s flightline of parked aircraft on display, learn about the various uses of the county airport from local businesses headquartered there, peruse the Wings of History museum, dance to live music and enjoy cuisine from locally owned and operated food trucks.
About 2,000 people attended the free event, according to organizer Niki Britton. Some arrived at 6am to get in line for hot air balloon rides, even though the windy weather ultimately prevented that attraction from taking place.
Britton worked with Joe McMurray to produce the Fly In, which took place for the second year this year. “It’s important to us to share the airport and aviation with our local community,” Britton said in an email to this newspaper.
Demonstrations at the event included a formation flight of Bonanza aircraft, aerial acrobatics and the arrival of a medevac helicopter based at Saint Louise Regional Hospital in Gilroy, Britton said. Sky divers filled the sky throughout the day, and a military vehicle collection from Eagle Field Foundation was a big draw.
The event even enjoyed a surprise visit from two antique car clubs that showed up and were warmly welcomed without notice, Britton said.
The May 21 Food Truck Fly In was “a rousing success,” Britton said.
“We have seen that the local community wants events just like this and the San Martin Airport has proven to be a great venue where our neighbors can socialize and have fun without leaving the ground,” she said.
Proceeds from the May 21 Food Truck Fly-In will go toward aviation-centered scholarships sponsored by the South County Airport Pilots Association, according to organizers.
The San Martin Airport’s third Food Truck Fly-In is already in the works and slated for this fall.
