Over 800 community members take flight at West Michigan Regional Airport’s Aviation Day
The gathering functioned as a fundraiser for Wings of Mercy, a nonprofit organization that coordinates free medical transport flights for patients needing specialized care far from home.
HOLLAND — Families, aviation enthusiasts, and charity runners gathered at West Michigan Regional Airport on Saturday for Aviation Day, a free annual event designed to connect the local community with the region's aviation history and resources.
Organizers said more than 800 people attended the daylong celebration, which timed its festivities near National Aviation Day on Aug. 19 — a holiday marking the history of powered flight and the birthday of aviation pioneer Orville Wright.
The event featured interactive experiences, historical aircraft, and charitable initiatives, seamlessly linking community entertainment with public service.
Among the standout highlights of the day was the Michigan Flight Museum’s "Hairless Joe," a restored World War II C-47 paratrooper transport aircraft that took three groups of passengers up for flights over Holland.
Additionally, 80 local youths took to the skies through the Experimental Aircraft Association’s Young Eagles program, which offers free light-aircraft flights to children. Ground-based visitors tested their skills in flight simulators hosted inside the hangar by Flight Path.
Beyond the airfield, the gathering functioned as a fundraiser for Wings of Mercy, a nonprofit organization that coordinates free medical transport flights for patients needing specialized care far from home.
The gathering functioned as a fundraiser for Wings of Mercy, a nonprofit organization that coordinates free medical transport flights for patients needing specialized care far from home. [Courtesy]
The morning kicked off on the tarmac with the organization's West Runway 5K, which saw 184 registered runners — a noticeable uptick from last year’s 135 participants. Top finishers in the race were awarded seats aboard the C-47 transport flight, while attendees lined up for a CareAffaire pancake breakfast hosted by the organization.
"Not everyone needs us, but we want to be there for the people who do," said Grace Spelde, managing director of Wings of Mercy. "A morning like this puts us in front of hundreds of families at once, and every plate and registration goes back to flying patients where they need to go."
Local organizations also contributed to the festival atmosphere, including a classic car display from the Vintage Car Club of Holland, alongside local food vendors ZOMburgers and Polar Patrol ice cream.
"Our local airport is immensely valuable to the community and not just for giving us an economic advantage," said Airport Manager Matt Neyens. "Planes are only part of what happens here. Kids learn here, patients gain access to medical transportation, and on Saturday, hundreds of neighbors shared breakfast together."
Jointly owned by the City of Holland, the City of Zeeland, and Park Township, West Michigan Regional Airport (BIV) serves as a hub for general aviation, corporate transport, flight education, and medical transport services across the West Michigan region.
