THE FARGO Air Museum’s 10 th Annual CELEBRITY DINNER AND AUCTION

the Fargo Air Museum will be holding its 10th Annual Air Museum Celebrity Dinner and Auction on September 8, 2018, at 4:30 p.m. Guests will arrive in the new Beck-Odegaard hanger and enjoy tasting beverages as they tour historical aircraft at the museum. The event includes both a silent and live auction, live music, delicious food, and a speech from Brigadier General Robert J. Becklund, the pilot of the celebrity aircraft for the evening. The auction prizes include a six person private flight to Minneapolis with tickets to attend the 2019 NDSU football game at Target Field, beautiful art, fine wine, aircraft rides, and a progressive hangar hop around the airfield.

The Minute You

enter the Fargo Air Musuem you find a recognition of women. You can go no further than about 50 feet and you will encounter a display, ‘Women in Early Aviation.’ But we recognize this is but a start, and we have plans for some exciting new ways to show their importance in the present and future too.”

The celebrity highlighted at this year’s event is a local hero: an F-4 Phantom II fighter jet. (Pictured above) In late December of 1986, this jet from the North Dakota Air National Guard raced to California with lifesaving cargo. At the tender age of five months, Andrew De La Pena was in desperate need of a heart transplant. Word came from Fargo through the Red Cross that a 4 month old had died from crib death — his heart had been resuscitated. It opened the door for a lifesaving organ donation for Andrew. Because of the great leadership of General Alexander MacDonald, and the North Dakota Air Guard, a life was saved.

TO HEAR MORE ABOUT THIS STORY, to give generously, and to attend the event, go to fargoairmuseum.org. Purchase your tickets and table for the celebrity dinner and auction today. [ aw ]

I HAVE A PASSION for this place, my dad owned an aviation business, my brother flies commercial aircraft, so I guess you could say I come from a prop family. I have a love for aviation. I love the history — how it has given us our freedom and what it is going to do for our future generation. I want the next generation to know how our past has got it to where we are today and where it is taking us forward.”

I AM A VOLUNTEER AT the Fargo Air Museum. I work with tours and education. We average 30 to 50 kids once a month for our fun and free camp. Our goal is to generate interest in aviation jobs. This could be in any number of related areas. I have been working this program for the last three years, and have 39 years in aviation. I have been working with the Scouting Merit Badge Program for the last 15 years. This is why we use a modified syllabus and offer the merit badge also. We have nearly 5,000 service hours in projects at the museum ranging from education to history.”

The Fargo Air Museum

is a touchstone to the marvels of aviation, aerospace and history for our community. It has become a gathering place for young and old to share their curiosity and enthusiasms about the world of flight. The museum has welcomed veterans, pioneers in local aviation history, and folks who have connections to the joys of flight — whether those connections be large or small. It has evolved into a unique, one of a kind venue for the celebration of milestone events. Weddings and funerals have all been held at the museum. As I like to say, ‘There is no place for a party like a hangar full of airplanes.’”

Following The 1989

air show, co-chair Dick Walstad and I were having a discussion, and it was brought up that maybe Fargo should have an Air Museum. We did a feasibility study, formed a board and with a lot of local support and enthusiasm, went for it. It has grown to one of the best museum/event centers in the upper Midwest. Without the support of the board members, volunteers and community, this could not have happened.”

General Darrol G. Schroeder

Note: All events are subject to change. Confirm dates and times before attending.