There’s a scene in the movie Field of Dreams where the protagonist, Ray Kinsela, is sitting on bleachers in front of his home. He is watching the ghosts of famous baseball players practicing on a ball field that Ray built in his cornfield. Soon Ray’s brother-in-law, Mark, approaches and asks what he is doing. Ray tells him that he is watching a baseball game. Mark looks around and sees nothing. He and his family storm off. After they leave, Ray’s wife looks out at the ball players and marvels at the fact that her brother could not see the amazing and wonderful thing going on right in front of them. “He couldn’t see it!”
I think of this scene every time I try to explain Airventure to someone outside of the aviation world. It happened again recently. A coworker asked about my summer vacation plans. I explained about Osh, about 10,000 airplanes and forums and workshops and shopping and camping and air shows. Her response? “Oh. That’s interesting. Oshkosh is a clothing store, isn’t it?” *sigh* Nope, she can’t see it.
I get it. Airplanes aren’t everyone’s cup of tea. But I talked two different friends into attending with me over three different years. Neither friend is interested in aviation yet both of them found things at Osh that they enjoyed.
Laura, a photographer, discovered the World War II encampment and was immediately fascinated. A group of reenactors were recreating a photo that was taken during the war. We probably spent an hour watching them and then another hour wandering around. She must have taken hundreds of photos. She took hundreds more of the warbirds.
Dianna took a welding class with me and came away with a Lincoln Electric bag. Another year (yes, I got her to go twice) we found a truck with Robby Gordon’s name on it. He is Dianna’s favorite racing driver. That’s proof that you can find pretty much everything at Osh!
Both of my friends loved the hot air balloons and the night air shows and the fireworks. I mean really, who DOESN’T love balloons and night air shows and fireworks? They also enjoyed the gatherings and meeting people and cheese curds and ice cream.
Airventure 2024 is fast approaching. I think I’m going to try camping this year. Heaven help me. More specifically, heaven help those around me.
Neighboring camper #1: Hey – what was that sound?
Neighboring camper #2: Oh it’s just that woman next door. Her tent collapsed again. I think that makes five times today.
Neighboring camper #1: Six
Um… yeah, I may just sleep in my car! Thankfully I have friends who can help and a back-up bed at the dorms just in case things go REALLY sideways.
Speaking of trying something new, I’ve got a partner in crime this year to help share all the Osh goodness with everyone. His name is Logan Lynch. He’s got a ton of camera equipment and he knows how to use it! If you aren’t already doing so, please find us on Twitter (I refuse to call it by that other name): @Jen_Niffer and @Logan_Lynch_ND or you can find us on Instagram: @talesfromtheterminal and @avgeek_llynch. If you happen to see us at Osh, be sure to say hello.
At the end of Field of Dreams there is an incident which changes everything for Mark. Suddenly he COULD see the ball players. It occurs to me that the same thing could happen with my non-avgeek friends. Maybe they’ll have a child or a grandchild or a niece or nephew who loves airplanes. Perhaps they’ll start dating an avgeek. Maybe then they’ll look at Osh with different eyes and be able to see the magic. And when they do – we’ll be happy to welcome them in. See you at Osh24!
