UPDATE: The Crete skydiving team has canceled their appearance at the event due to forecast weather. 

 

Original story below:

 

The Norfolk Regional Airport is gearing up to host a celebration to honor its 75th anniversary this weekend.

"We'd just like to see everyone out here," local pilot Randy Neuharth said. "I think it'll be a good day. Hopefully the weather will be in our favor and we see a lot of people out here."

According to Neuharth, the Crete Dive team will be at the airport Saturday and Sunday offering tandem jumping. On Sunday, there will be a fly-in breakfast and anniversary presentation. There will also be 40s and 50s era aircraft on display along with a photo wall depicting the airport’s history.

"If the local pilots have their airplanes on display, they'll be able to talk to you and visit with you about that and certainly the guys that are bringing in the warbirds will," Neuharth said.

The airfield got its start in the 40s when it operated as a pilot training center during World War II. Karl Stefan, who the airfield is named after, helped get the funding for it.

Many airlines used to fly in and out of the Norfolk airport. The terminal building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

"It's an interesting history," Neuharth said. 

Today, the airport is used by local businesses, crop dusters and delivery services like UPS. Neuharth says bigger stores like Walmart, Menards and Target also use the airfield. 

"It provides an economic boost to the city and I think it's very very important to promote the airport and to support it as much as we can."