National Warplane Museum Goes Above and Beyond with Year-Round Events

GENESEO – The National Warplane Museum is hitting the gas with year-round events, climbing higher as one of the region’s most sought-after destinations.

Starting this year, the National Warplane Museum will run family-friendly historical-themed events every month in addition to their nationally renowned summer airshow.

“We’re a year round operation,” said Dawn Schaible, Director of Planning and Government Affairs and Media Relations. “The National Warplane Museum is a four-seasons destination for Geneseo, Livingston County and New York State that offers year-round in-person experiences with flying historic aircraft and exhibits preserving the legacy of the greatest generation.”

For October, that means Living History Day on Oct. 15.WWII reenactors will set up camp on museum grounds, there will be authentic D-Day briefings in the Museum’s new briefing room, museum tours and 25 percent off airplane rides throughout the day.

The first 100 kids through the gates receive free hand-launched balsa wood gliders. Kids 5 and under are free. Pumpkin painting will run throughout the day, and glider competitions start at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

There will be a $15 steak roast in the main hangar at 5 p.m., followed by swing dance lessons at 6:30 p.m. and a swing dance at 7 p.m.

Events like this continue to drive Museum admission skyward. Admission has increased for individuals, groups, and schools, and more plane rides than ever have been booked, especially as fall foliage season arrives. On Wednesday, newlyweds Yulia and Yevgenni, of St. Petersburg, Russia, stopped by for a ride in the Museum’s J5A.

The next few month’s events are already taking shape. In November, the Museum’s event will honor the nation’s military personnel, past and present, on Veterans Day. In December, Santa will visit the Museum and there will be sleigh (or wagon) rides and hot chocolate. In February, there will be a ‘sweetheart night’ in the hangar.

Schaible added that children’s storytime events will likely begin popping up as 2017 continues. Continue to follow the GeneseeSun.com and the National Warplane Museum’s Facebook page as these events develop.