Family Fun set for the airport

At the McCook Home & Builders Show in February, a surprising number of people told the marketing committee for the McCook Regional Airport, "I didn't even know McCook had airline service." But -- thanks to an aggressive marketing campaign -- that perception is changing quickly.

With a blitz of ads in the newspaper and on radio -- as well as billboards, special promotions and the home show booth -- use of the daily scheduled airline flights between McCook and Denver is on the rise. "Great Lakes Airlines (the flight provider) has told us they have been extremely busy," said Darcy Eckhardt, a member of the marketing committee.

In appreciation of the surge in use and interest in the airport, the McCook Regional Airport will join the McCook Economic Development Corp. and Pawnee Aviation Thursday evening to present a "Family Fun Night" at the McCook airport.

The event -- open to everyone -- will begin at 5:30 p.m. and last until 7:30 p.m.

So as not to get in the way of airline passengers, the fun night will be centered at the Red Willow Aviation building, located immediately west of the McCook Regional Airport terminal. Abundant contributions of food are being provided by local eating places. "McDonald's, Runza, Subway and Pizza Hut are all helping out," Eckhardt said.

There will also be drawings for prizes, including luggage and plane tickets. Other attractions include static displays of radio controlled airplanes, goodies for the kids and adult beverages offered through the McCook Chamber of Commerce special event license.

Adding to the excitement will be the helicopter used for MedStar emergency transport, and a prototype of the helicopter being produced in kit form in McCook by Pawnee Aviation.

Due to the marketing committee's efforts -- with the aid of a three-year, $275,000 marketing grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation -- there has been a turnaround in activity at the McCook Regional Airport. It's time to celebrate and, while we're at it, say thanks to the members of the active and involved members of the airport marketing committee. They are Ann Barger, John Bingham, Darcy Eckhardt, Ron Friehe, Rex Nelson, Kyle Potthoff, Linda Taylor, Doug Vap and Ken Vontz. The committee has been helped greatly by the creative efforts of Missy Black and other members of the staff of Idea Logic, the North Platte-based agency which is planning and presenting the marketing campaign.

Let's join them Thursday for "Family Fun Night" at the McCook Regional Airport. We are lucky to have scheduled airline service in McCook, and we are fortunate that the marketing committee is doing such a good job of publicizing and promoting that fact.