Key Takeaways
- Over 6,000 attendees participated in the 13th annual Planes, Trains, and Automobiles event at Plant City Airport.
- New feature this year included a $6,500 scholarship awarded to young aviator Juliana Goolsby.
- Activities included aircraft flights, classic car exhibits, military vehicle tours, and family-friendly attractions.
Record Attendance at Plant City Event
The 13th annual Planes, Trains, and Automobiles event, organized by Vice-Mayor Jason Jones, took place on February 1 at Plant City Airport, attracting between 6,000 and 7,000 visitors, the highest turnout to date. The day began with an invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, despite early rain and cloudy skies.
Attendees enjoyed various activities, including biplane rides, exploring specialty cars, climbing on military vehicles, and inspecting Elvis Presley’s former private jet, transformed into a recreational vehicle by local entrepreneur James Webb. Families expressed their excitement about the event, which offered a wealth of entertainment options such as remote-controlled aircraft displays, bounce houses, gyroscope rides, food vendors, and face painting.
Alice Rodriguez, who traveled from Haines City with her retired pilot parents, shared her enthusiasm, stating that the event provided a fantastic day out for families. Jeff Keith from Lakeland brought his grandson, who is passionate about aviation and cars, and after enjoying the event, plans to enroll him in aviation summer camp.
Another highlight of this year’s event was the introduction of a scholarship by the Tampa Bay Aviation Association, awarded to Juliana Goolsby, a local aspiring aviator. Goolsby expressed her excitement about receiving the $6,500 scholarship, which will aid her in achieving her private pilot’s license and pursuing a career as a corporate pilot. She shared her love for flying, describing the exhilarating feeling of being airborne.
Devin Bedotto, Goolsby’s trainer from Atlas Aviation, praised her growth and confidence in flying. Local officials, including Christine Miller from Hillsborough County’s Board of County Commissioners, emphasized the positive impact of the event in inspiring youth interest in aviation and automotive careers, noting its foundational role in promoting these fields since its inception 14 years ago.
The Planes, Trains, and Automobiles event proves to be a successful initiative fostering community engagement and inspiring future aviators and automotive enthusiasts.
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