By Meagan Pollnow
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Rain stayed away just long enough Saturday for crowds at Blue Ash Airport Days to see some pretty old planes do some pretty neat tricks.

The national anthem played as four WWII Boeing Stearman planes performed loops, rolls and other maneuvers around a team of skydivers, one carrying an American flag.

Tom and Cathy Noyes of Sycamore Township said they've been coming to the air show every year. This year, they brought their grandchildren.

Tom held 2-year-old grandson Ethan, as he stuck bits of funnel cake in his mouth and looked at the sky, watching the planes loop and circle around the airport.

Cathy said coming to the festival was not only about watching the show, but remembering military sacrifice as well. She said coming to the show reminds her of her father's service in World War II. Warbirds from that era, including a B-17 bomber, were on display.

"WWII has been so prominent lately, but it's also nice to see the young cadets here, to see young and old come together," she said. "It's nice to know people care and respect their service,"

As many as 20,000 people were expected to attend the show. But distant thunder, then rain that started falling about 2 p.m., chased away much of the crowd.

"I was supposed to meet a friend here, but he didn't show up because of the weather," said Jim Bearden of Blue Ash.

Bearden, a licensed private pilot, said he learned how to fly at the Blue Ash Airport.

"I'm just interested in aviation," he said. "I like coming out here and seeing the number of people interested in aviation. It's a great community."

Proceeds from the festival, which continues today from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., go to the Heart Center at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. Admission is $9 for adults and free for children under 12.

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