Area youngsters may win prizes in a balsa airplane toss during the 46th National Stearman Fly-In.

The contest will be held from 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9, in the Jet Air, Inc. hangar at Galesburg Municipal Airport.

Members of the Young Professionals of Galesburg, a networking, educational and community service organization, will conduct the event.

Competitors will be divided into three age groups – 3 to 5 years old, 6 to 9 years old, and 10 to 12 years old.

Youngsters who successfully fly their planes from 20 feet away to a spot landing in a 20-inch-in-diameter circle will qualify for a drawing for prizes.

First-, second- and third-place prizes will be awarded in each age group. The first-place prize is an airplane ride with a parent. Second-place winners will get a 2017 Stearman Fly-In T-shirt. Third-place winners will get 2017 Stearman posters and buttons.

Competitors get to keep their balsa planes after the contest.

The contest is free, and no pre-registration is required.

Also in the hangar, youngsters may try their hand in a flight simulator. The simulator experience will be hosted by Ric and Lisa Woldow, Morton, IL.

The children’s events are part of the Fly-In’s “Stearman Super Saturday” of free entertainment. There is no charge to enter the airport grounds.

The lineup includes:

1-4 p.m.: “East to Meet the Enemy” book signing by Galesburg author William M. Tarrant. In front of Stearman Fly-In office.

1:30 p.m.: Formation flying contest, Galesburg Municipal Airport.

2:30 p.m.: Aerobatics demonstrations featuring David Brown, Warrenton, VA, in his stock Stearman, Lee Crouch, Liberty, MO, in his 450-horsepower Stearman, and Greg Vallero, St. Charles, MO, in his AT-6.

3 p.m.: Parade of Flight, an airborne history of Stearman aircraft, over Galesburg Municipal Airport.

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