On Saturday, April 26 the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) Dixie Wing will host “Keep ‘em Flying,” a World War II-theme hangar dance, complete with big-band performances, swing dance demonstrations, 1940’s costumes and vintage vehicles. The festivities will be held at the Historical Airpower Facility, Falcon Field Peachtree City and will begin with free swing dance lessons by Rachel Ferguson dance classes at 6 p.m.

“Keep ‘em Flying” guests will hear the Peachtree Jazz Edition play the big band tunes made famous by Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey and Benny Goodman while enjoying a BBQ dinner from Café Pig. Described as “one of the best bands in Atlanta,” the Peachtree Jazz Edition has a loyal swing dance following and is returning to “Keep ‘em Flying” for the fifth straight year. Also performing will be the Vintage Vocals, a Cobb County trio that performs 1940's classics by the Andrews Sisters, Glenn Miller and other ’40s stars while wearing military-style uniforms. Spine-bending dance demonstrations will provided by the Atlanta Swing Era Dance Association (ASEDA) and local dancers.

“Keep ‘em Flying” is one of several highlights scheduled during “WWII Heritage Days,” a public history program created to honor The Greatest Generation, the men and women who won the Second World War. The weekend event will begin with an opening ceremony recognizing local WWII veterans and will combine vintage vehicles and aircraft, living history displays, guest speakers, and demonstrations to educate the entire family.

Proceeds from the dance are use to cover costs associated with hosting “WWII Heritage Days,” the ongoing preservation of vintage aircraft and “Education Through Living History,” a World War II history program made available by CAF Dixie Wing volunteers to schools and youth groups free of charge.

The 2005 edition of the annual swing dance was instrumental in the repair of “The Lady in Blue,” a rare SBD Dauntless dive-bomber flown by the CAF Dixie Wing.

“Our SBD was grounded because we needed a new engine,” said Keith Wood, leader of the CAF Dixie Wing. “So we decided to rename the dance to reflect our mission, which is to restore and fly World War II airplanes as a tribute to America’s veterans.” The “Lady in Blue” was restored using blueprints provided by the Smithsonian Institute, returned to the air in May 2005 and is one of only three SBDs flying in the United States.

The Dixie Wing CAF is a non-profit educational organization that relies on donations and fundraisers to preserve WWII aircraft and teach WWII history.

Advance tickets to “Keep ‘em Flying” are $35 per person and $50 after April 21. Reserved tables for eight are $350. Group discounts are also available. For more information about “Keep ‘em Flying” and “WWII Heritage Days,” call 678-364-1110 or visit www.wwiidays.org.

The Commemorative Air Force is a non-profit organization dedicated to flying and restoring World War II aircraft. Based in Midland, Texas, the organization has over 9,500 members and operates a fleet of over 150 World War II aircraft. For more info, visit www.commemorativeairforce.org.

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