Planes, trains and automobiles ready for Father’s Day

It’s no longer just vintage cars, motorcycles and airplanes.

This year Baldwin City’s Planes, Trains and Automobiles event will include an outdoor movie, Father’s Day speeches and a 1950s costume contest.

“The event is : in full motion and there will be lots of excitement,” said Stan Vickers, chairman of the fourth annual event.

The Father’s Day weekend festival will begin at 9 p.m. Friday with a free outdoor movie, “American Graffiti,” in the green area between the post office and the Lumberyard Arts Center Project.

These activities will take place Saturday:

l Free airplane rides for children ages 8 to 17, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Vinland Airport, four miles north of Baldwin on Douglas County Road 1055. The rides are part of the Young Eagles program. To guarantee a ride, parents are asked to sign up children before Saturday. For details, call Star Novak at Vinland Airport, (785) 594-2485. “Last year’s event was one of the largest Young Eagles events in the area,” said Tandy Allen, regional spokesperson for the Experimental Aircraft Association Young Eagles.

l Father’s Day speeches read by children, beginning at 10 a.m. downtown, followed at 11 a.m. with a teaser of Baldwin City Community Theater’s upcoming production of “Grease.” At noon, bands will begin playing downtown. The final band – Old School Knights – will take the stage at 4:15 p.m. Also downtown, a 1950s costume contest will begin at 4 p.m.

l Train rides at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. at Midland Depot. Rides are free to fathers accompanied by one paying adult or two paying children.

l Free miniature golf at The Lodge all day for fathers. For details, call the chamber of commerce, (785) 594-3200.

“It’s going to be a lot of fun,” Vickers said. “Hopefully, there will be a lot of new faces discovering Baldwin for a day or a lifetime.”