Minden-Tahoe Open House for Avation week

Mark your calendars, in celebration of National Aviation Week, the Minden-Tahoe Airport will be hosting 'Airport Discovery Day', a Wings and Wheels event. 

The open house event will take place at the Minden-Tahoe airport on Saturday, August 24 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., located at 1146 Airport Road, Minden.

The event is free and open to the public, all ages are welcome. 

Officials say the open house event kicks off with a pancake breakfast, free for all.

The all-day experience offers a variety of food trucks and a café, gliders and drones will be on-site as well as a variety of other activities and experiences.

Throughout the day attendees will have an opportunity to explore the airport, meet pilots and learn about aviation and their experiences. 

You can watch a display by the Douglas County Sheriff's Office K-9's and their SWAT Bearcat and meet Smokey the Bear, who will be making an appearance.

Officials say they will have a dedicated kids' corner that will include interactive aviation-themed activities and games as well as a colorful hot air balloon display. 

Legacy Airbase in addition to the day's events, say they will be providing an unforgettable experience for five lucky veterans.

Two veterans will have the opportunity to take flight in a T6 aircraft, while three others will soar through the sky in a Stearman.

One of whom just turned 100 years old and has dreamed of flying again since he was a pilot in the war.

 "We are thrilled to host this open house event at Minden-Tahoe Airport," said Heather MacDonnell, Minden-Tahoe Airport Manager.

"It's a great opportunity for our community to come together and learn about aviation while enjoying a day filled with fun activities.

We are honored to partner with Legacy Airbase and take this opportunity to celebrate a few of our nation's heroes.”

As part of the festivities, there will also be static displays showcasing various aircraft on the ground, including Reno National Air Guard’s C-130 and a car show by the Douglas Dukes.

According to the Minden-Tahoe Airport, the Douglas Dukes are a loose-knit group of "car guys" from Douglas County and the Carson Valley.

The group’s car interests range from antique brass-era cars to hot rods, to sleek customs, to muscle cars, to dune buggies, to dragsters, to 300+ MPH land speed racing streamliners.

Officials say that attendees can get up close and personal with these impressive machines and learn more about them from knowledgeable pilots and drivers.

The schedule of events is listed below:

  • 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. - Airport Discovery Day
  • 8-10 a.m. - FREE Pancake breakfast sponsored by CVI and Blind Dog Coffee *while supplies last
  • 8:30 a.m. - Opening Ceremonies with the Nevada Air National Guard, Color Guard Team
  • 9 a.m. - Local Veterans take Flight
  • 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.- Flybys from local planes, gliders, light sports, and skydivers from Skydive Lake Tahoe
  • 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. - Live music by Scarlet Verbs
  • 11 a.m. - Flyover from the Nevada National Guard
  • 12 p.m. - Nevada Division of Forestry water bucket hoist demonstration and water drop

For more information about the open house event or Minden-Tahoe Airport, please visit mindentahoeairport.com or call 775-782-9871.