Published: May 13, 2008 12:17 pm      

Air Expo returns to Ada in June

Ada — The fifth annual Ray Stout Memorial Warbird Fly-in and Ada Air Expo returns to the Ada Municipal Airport June 13-14, along with the second annual “Pigs Can Fly” barbecue contest.

The air show is presented by Ada Experimental Aircraft Association 1005 and the barbecue contest is hosted by the Ada Lions Club. This year’s Lions Club president is Odes Hoehman.

More than 25 show airplanes will take part in activities at the airport on Fathers Day weekend, which will include daring aerial acrobatic performances and several flybys.

The barbecue contest is sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbecue Society and as many as 25 teams are expected to compete.

This year’s activities kick off Friday, June 13, with a hamburger cookout at the airport. Pilots will begin arriving Friday evening and the cookout will provide the public an opportunity to meet them.

Admission to the airport Friday is free. Admission to the hamburger cookout is $5 per person. Free live musical entertainment will also be provided Friday from 5:30 until 7:30 p.m.

The real action begins Saturday, June 14. Gates open at 8:30 a.m. The air show, which features professional aerobatic performers, begins at 11 a.m.

Admission to Saturday’s festivities is free, but there is a $5 per-vehicle parking fee.

Aerial acrobatic aircraft in this year’s show includes Stewart Dawson’s Hawker Sea Fury “Spirit of Texas,” which is one of the fastest piston-driven aircraft in the world. Patrick Carter of Kansas will fly his fully aerobatic Pitts S-28 biplane, which is capable of performing the most advanced aerobatic maneuvers and is also one of the safest aerobatic aircraft available.

Philip A. Butcher, who was born in Rogers, Ark., has amassed 14,000 hours in more than 40 different aircraft, and will show off his aerobatic skills at Ada’s air show.

Kelly Pietrowicz and John Hilterman, who performed in the 2007 Ada Air Expo, will return this year.

Pietrowicz will demonstrate her skills in a Pitts S2 biplane. Hilterman will fly his Extra 300. Both are from Oklahoma City.

Martha Jean, the Mitchell B-25 Bomber based in Tulsa, will appear as a static display and take part in flybys during the day. Other flyby and static aircraft include L-39 Albatrosses and a CAF R-4D and Liaison from Dallas, Texas; three T-6s from Tulsa; a TS-11 jet trainer from Poteau; a P51 Mustang from Dallas; Lady Liberty A-26 from Oklahoma City; and an Anotov AN2 from Fort Worth, Texas.

Helicopter and aircraft rides will be available Saturday. A limited number of media rides will also be available Friday afternoon.

These may be scheduled with Bruce Huddleston, Ada Air Expo air boss, at (580) 436-2803.

For more information, visit the official website at www.adaairexpo.com. For more information about the city of Ada, visit its website at www.adaok.com.

Mary Krause, chairman of the barbecue contest, announced that the Lions would pay out $3,400 in prizes this year.

“This is a state championship contest, proclaimed by the governor of Oklahoma and winner of this contest can compete in the national event,” Krause said. The grand champion will receive $1,000 and a trophy. The reserve grand champion will receive $800 and a trophy. Cash prizes will be awarded to first through fifth place winners in each of four categories – ribs, pork, chicken and brisket.

Ribbons will be awarded to winners of sixth through 10th place in each category. The fee to enter all categories is $125.

In addition to the four regular categories, two others have been added this year: desserts and anything butt. Contestants don’t have to be a member of the Kansas City Barbecue Society to enter. They can pick up applications online at www.adaairexpo.com, or see Krause at Vision Bank.

“We will have plenty of food to eat and visitors can vote on the best barbecue,” Krause said. “We will also sell Taster’s Choice plate for $5 each. All profit goes directly to support the Ada Lions Club.

"All funds raised go to help local residents with eye exams and glasses. We’re looking for 25 teams to enter and amateurs are welcome to compete.”

Kansas City Barbecue Society certified judges and a few local dignitary judges would judge the contest.

Contestants have interesting names for their culinary treats, such as “Ring of Fire Barbecue,” “Smokin Don,” “H&H Hots,” “Smokin Beaver Barbecue,” and “Butcher Barbecue,” the 2007 grand champion. Another winner last year was “Connoisseurs of Fine Swine,” which has been invited back this year.