Just a handful of miles past the northern edge of Chestnut Hill in a quiet patch of Blue Bell lies the hidden gem of Wings Field, one of the oldest privately owned airports in the country. Tucked behind the Plymouth Meeting Mall, this local airport will be transformed into a fun-filled festival that is anything but quiet when the long-running Wings N’ Wheels festival returns on Sept. 7 for its 32nd year.
The list of activities and offerings at Wings N’ Wheels is extensive. Some attendees might come for the food and drinks. Guests can enjoy pizza, tacos, burritos and bowls from food trucks such as EL Toro Serrano and Jules Thin Crust or frozen treats from Snack Shack. A “Wing-Off” competition will be held with wings from local joints such as McCaffrey’s food market, Blue Bell Pizza and Phil’s Tavern. A People’s Choice Award and a Judge’s Choice Award (decided by dignitaries from Whitpain Township) will be given to the eatery with the best wings. Ernst Brothers will roll in with Ernie, a 1960s-inspired camper that serves cocktails and sliders, while Fruits of our Labor will provide cold nonalcoholic smoothies. Plus, Moss Mill Brewing Company, Von C Brewing and McAllister Brewing Company will all be in attendance.
Other guests might be drawn by the demonstrations held throughout the day. Students from Wissahickon High School and Springside Chestnut Hill Academy will be putting on a hands-on robotics activity in Hangar 4, the airport’s largest hangar. K9 teams from the Plymouth Township Police Department also will be showing off their dogs’ talents and skills. The Philadelphia Union mascot, Phang, will join the fun along with Union coaches who will be challenging kids to put their soccer skills to the test. Roaming characters, bounce houses, live music, and dozens of the finest airplanes and antique cars in the area will round it all out to entertain both kids and kids at heart.
But perhaps the most exciting offering at this event which celebrates the airborne is the chance to take a sightseeing flight. Guests can get a bird’s eye view with a 15-minute tour, and gain a whole new perspective on the community.
Best of all, proceeds from the festival will benefit Angel Flight East (AFE), a nonprofit organization that provides free flights to patients in need of medical treatment. AFE pilots volunteer their time and effort to transport patients throughout the northeastern United States so that they can have access to the best health care available. There is no limit to the number of flights provided by the service.
“First and foremost, we want the community to come out and enjoy an exciting day at Wings Field,” says Ellen Williams, AFE’s executive director. “This area is a valuable resource to the community and is home to the Philadelphia Aviation Country Club. Then we want them to learn about AFE’s mission and help us reach more patients in need of our services. We’re here to help.”
According to Cathy Brzozowski, director of marketing and communications at AFE, Wings N’ Wheels is a labor of love.
“This event happens because we have a fantastic volunteer committee…it truly is a community event,” Brzozowski said. “It's big and a lot of work, but we've got so many committed volunteers and people that just love the event and look forward to it every year.”
Wings N’ Wheels is on Saturday, Sept. 7 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Wings Field in Blue Bell. The entry fee is $10 and $5 for children under the age of 13. Donations to Angel Flight East can be made at angelflighteast.org.
