Crowd pleased with ‘great’ air show Saturday

Published 12:00 am Sunday, April 29, 2001

For lovers of airplanes or motorcycles the place to be Saturday was the second annual ABATE Airshow and Motorcycle Extravaganza.

Located at the Natchez-Adams Airport, the event featured plane aerobatics, drag racing and other events.

&uot;I guess I’m just overwhelmed,&uot; said Karen Huckin, area director of the River Cities Chapter of ABATE of Mississippi. &uot;The success, the excitement, the fact the we really pulled this off without one bad hitch.&uot;

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One airshow performer was Theresa Stokes, who wing walked on a plan flown by Gene Soucy.

&uot;Cool,&uot; said Andy Wilson, 6, of Natchez, about the performance. &uot;She’s hanging.&uot;

Jane Chauvin wondered how Stokes ever first decided to wing walk.

&uot;What was it? A dare,&uot; Chauvin said.

She spent most of the day Saturday at the show with her son, Wilson, who Chauvin said has a great interest in planes.

&uot;It’s been a great show,&uot; she said. &uot;He’s had this thing for planes, gosh, since he could talk.&uot;

A wide variety of motorcycle owners also came to the airport Saturday to show off their bikes and meet with each other.

The Cross Road Rivers Chapter of the Christian Motorcyclists Association was probably one of the more unusual groups that attended. The members travel to motorcycle events sharing their faith and is are trying to start a Natchez chapter.

The air and motorcylce show will continue today from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Tickets are available at the gate. Two-day passes cost $20 for adults, $7 for children ages four to 12 and children under three are admitted free.

All proceeds go to benefit the Sunshine Shelter for Abused and Neglected Children in Natchez.