The planes, the bands and even Darth Vader have landed.
Delaware County Airport at Johnson Field will play host to the 11th Annual Summer Heat Air Festival this weekend, and there will be just as much to see on the ground as in the sky.
From Friday through Sunday, visitors will be treated to a wide variety of events -- not all of which are typical air-show fare. One of the festival highlights will be the father-daughter wing-walking team of Bob Essell Airshows that also features Jenny Forsythe and the United States Army Parachute Team -- the Golden Knights. But there will also be static aircraft viewing, arts and crafts booths, a carnival and music performances. Garfield will also be in attendance, along with Star Wars' Darth Vader and a group of Stormtroopers, who are coming for a showing of the three original Star Wars films.
Christie Mers, event director for Summer Heat, said that everyone can enjoy the weekend of events.
"It's a three day event, and it brings in around 25,000 people for the three days -- and that's just spectators," Mers said. "It's a very nice family event. There's carnivals, so you've got children, the grandparents that bring the kids out. Entertainment brings out the middle-aged group."
This year's festival, which was previously held in July, will also feature a few new additions, such as the first-ever nighttime hot-air balloon flight.
Summer Heat Balloonmeister Jay Gillett says that the night flight is similar to balloon illumination, where balloons tethered to the ground use their burners to light the area with each of the balloons' different colors. This night flight, however, will allow the balloons to fly, rather than be tethered, although they are confined to the airfield with a ceiling of 500 feet. Because burners are used to raise the balloon, the flames will cause the light from the balloon to flicker as it moves from place to place.
"It's a totally exciting experience for the spectators," Gillett said. "It's just like fireflies."
A limited amount of tickets for balloon rides will be available at $150 for one person and $250 for two people.
The festival opens Friday at noon and Saturday and Sunday at 9 a.m. Souvenir Pins with three-day admission are available at Marsh, First Merchants Bank and the Muncie Visitors' Bureau for $15 per person ($18 at the gate). Single-day tickets are $10, and parking is $2.
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