The 32nd annual Gadabout Gaddis Fly-in, scheduled for Sept. 29 and 30, is the longest-running fly-in in the Northeast. This annual event alwawys takes place in Bingham, on the last weekend of September.

The fly-in began in the fall of 1969 as an event to celebrate the fall foliage. It has become a gathering place for old friends to meet and catch up on the past year, but it has also become a landmark event for all of Maine and the surrounding states; and admission is free.

Even if the events of Sept. 11 prevent some planes from being at the fly-in, there will be plenty of entertainment, including music, air-boat rides, and a demonstration by the fire department. Fall foliage should be at its peak then.

The Gaddis Cup trophy originated in 1980 and is awarded annually at this fly-in event to honor the Maine the person making the most noteworthy contribution to the enhancement of private flying. This trophy is a memorial to the famed “Flying Fisherman,” Roscoe Vernon “Gadabout” Gaddis.

It began quite small and simple. In later years it included air stunt acts with a complete air show. These past few years, we have gone with volunteer pilots who enjoy coming to take part in flying and demonstrations of their aircrafts.

This year we have expanded the fun part for children. There will, of course, be the K-9 dog demonstrations, along with events put on by students and a bouncing house, and the fire department will have a smokehouse for children to learn how to escape a building on fire. And we will have food booths of various kinds along with many arts and crafters; in many cases the products are handmade.

Because Bingham is located on the Kennebec River, you can go river rafting. The gates open at 9 a.m. Saturday, and at noon, there will be a chicken barbecue. That evening there will be a public baked bean supper at the Quimby Gymnasium. The show will be repeated Sunday for a wonderful, ful-filled festive fall weekend.

Wes Baker of Bingham is co-chairman of the 32nd annual Gadabout Gaddis Fly-in.