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Warwick Airport hosts huge car show causing traffic problems

| 25 May 2016 | 07:46
    Photo by Roger Gavan It was called the "First Annual Warwick Airport Takeover" and what was billed as a spectacular car show featuring all types of makes and models was held at Warwick Municipal Airport on Sunday, May 22.
    Photo by Roger Gavan It was called the "First Annual Warwick Airport Takeover" and what was billed as a spectacular car show featuring all types of makes and models was held at Warwick Municipal Airport on Sunday, May 22.
    Photo by Robert G. Breese A few planes and an antique car were also on diplay at the Warwick Airport Takeover car show on Sunday.
    Photo by Robert G. Breese A few planes and an antique car were also on diplay at the Warwick Airport Takeover car show on Sunday.
    Photo by Robert G. Breese More than 3,000 cars covered the grounds and runway of Warwick Municipal Airport throughout Sunday afternoon.
    Photo by Robert G. Breese More than 3,000 cars covered the grounds and runway of Warwick Municipal Airport throughout Sunday afternoon.

WARWICK — There may be times when an event can be too successful
It was called the "First Annual Warwick Airport Takeover" and what was billed as a spectacular car show, featuring all types of makes and models was held at Warwick Municipal Airport on Sunday, May 22.
The event was hosted by the Form and Function Crew and the proceeds from automobile entrance fees was to go to From Home to Heroes, a military charity for those on active duty.
During the event, trophies were awarded for all classes and there were food vendors and a static display of antique planes. Thousands attended.
That was all well and good but the planners had not taken into consideration that there is only one ingress and egress to the normally quiet and picturesque airport.
The turn-out was extraordinary and there were traffic problems when cars lined up on Kings Highway and Airport Road where fees were literally collected "at the gate." That resulted in the back-ups.
"Didn't they ever hear of EZ Pass," said Airport Manager Dave MacMillan. "I would never have signed this contract with Form and Function if I knew it would be so poorly organized. I was happy to help their military charity but the guy who explained how it would be so well organized did not give us all the facts."
This car show, however, was a first and unusual event.
Throughout the year, Warwick Municipal Airport quietly serves as a destination for many aviation centered events such as the annual Experimental Aircraft Association fly in, the electronic model air craft fly-in and the Ninety Nines women pilots association annual meeting.
The airport has also hosted both commercial and not-for-profit non-aviation events including car shows and even a TV drama and commercials. And fees for these events help reduce Town and airport expenses as well as maintain reasonable rates for tenants.
"My objective is to make this airport a wider use resource for the community," said MacMillan. "It's not just a place for the pilots who fly from here. It's an asset for the Town of Warwick."
- Roger Gavan