Festival of Flight set for take-off at Prestwick

Nov 16 2012 by Stuart Wilson, Ayrshire Post

A stunning Festival of Flight is set to celebrate the history of aviation at Prestwick.

Organisers plan to make a dramatic air show the highlight of the 10-day event, planned for next summer.

And a range of other attractions, including a film festival at the Gaiety, could also form part of the programme.

Curators Angela Wrapson and George Kerevan say they hope to revive the region’s passion for its rich aviation history.

Angela revealed: “Prestwick is a name that is synonymous around the world with flight.

“When you look back through its timeline, so many important things have happened here.

“So an event like this could have international significance for Ayrshire and far beyond.”

The festival has been pencilled in to run between Friday, August 30 and Sunday, September 8.

Organisers hope to run a number of fringe events, with an aviation-themed fashion show and a comic and book festival among the plans.

Now work is underway to secure vital support funding that will ensure all strands of the festival take place.

And with the event already winning cross-party political support, hope is high for take off.

Angela added: “This won’t be a festival that is dedicated just to history.

“There will be plenty on offer for youngsters as well and the aim is to have a festival that appeals to a very broad spectrum.

“Prestwick was first used as an airfield in 1913 and has amazing history to it, but there are so many modern day stories to tell.”