A couple weeks ago I took our younger two children to the Brampton Flight Center for their annual Airport Day. Both my mother and grandfather decided to join us for the festivities. The entire day was very exciting for my little guy Jack, but it was also very special for my grandfather William Russell Brown who was a pilot and flight instructor during WW2. He was given the opportunity to meet with one of the pilots who would be taking flight that afternoon in one of the old Harvard airplanes. My grandfather was even invited to stand on the wing of the plane and pose for a photo with his great-grandson. The very model he used to fly during the war! It was actually quite inspiring to see him standing there with the pilot, but let's be honest - he was probably giving the guy a lesson or two haha (the photos say it all).
The rest of the morning was spent exploring the grounds and trying to take it all in before nap time. There was plenty to do for all ages and the weather couldn't have been better - not a cloud in the sky. For the avid flyer or someone just looking for a little excitement, $40 flights were being offered to anyone willing to wait in line. Although we decided to pass on the opportunity this year, we were informed that if you arrived early enough, the wait wasn't very long - and worth the price!
Rather than taking to the skies, we decided to take advantage of all the other activities being offered. These included the jumping castle, a trackless train ride, face painting, the vintage car display, a live band and even a visit from two very famous superheroes. Food and beverage stands were also set up providing guests with a BBQ lunch - at a fairly reasonable price. All proceeds, including the $5/person entry fee went to support the Great War Flying Museum.
Some tips:
- Arrive early! It starts at 10am. The parking lot was almost full by 1pm and cars were lined up at the entrance trying to get in. Plus you had to wait a very long time for any of the activities. My advice: go to the activities that require a line-up first, then visit the museum and display airplanes.
- Carry cash for entry fees as well as food and beverage or bring your own lunch.
- Bring a stroller that travels well on grass...you'll be walking on it quite a bit.
- If you have really young kids be sure to have some help. The event was a lot bigger than I anticipated so I was grateful to have my mom with me - divide and conquer.
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