BAY CITY – Free airplane rides will be given to youth, ages 8-17, beginning at 9:30 a.m. Aug. 21 at the Red Wing Regional Airport, which is just north of Bay City.

This opportunity is offered through the Red Wing chapter of the Oshkosh-based Experimental Aircraft Association, and is part of its ongoing Young Eagles Program, which has given rides to over 2 million young people over the last 20 years.

'It is just our way of introducing young people to the joy of flight in a light aircraft,' said Paul Steger, a member of the local chapter 1518 which is sponsoring the event. 'There are absolutely no costs involved nor any strings attached.'

Parents should contact either Paul Swanstrom at 651-437-2566 or Paul Steger at 715-338-0928 to pre-register. They will also need to sign a waiver which can be done the day of the event, which will be re-scheduled in the case of inclement weather.

Before the Young Eagles Rally, River City Days runs from Aug. 6-8 and on Sunday, Aug. 8 at the airport is the 45th annual fly-in, drivein pancake breakfast from 8 a.m. to noon. Besides all the flying activity out on the runway, there will be a large variety of aircraft parked on the ramp as well as a collector car display.

Cost of the breakfast which includes pancakes, sausages, juice, milk, and coffee, is $8 for adults, $4 for ages 5 to 12 and children under 5 are free.

Submitted by Experimental Aircraft Association