Food, flying, fun at appreciation day

The Bayport Aerodrome Society will be hosting their 31st annual Neighborhood Appreciation Picnic this Sunday, Sept. 15 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Located at 60 Vitamin Drive in Bayport, the event is open to all community members.

Lunch, with a la carte menu items available for under $6 each, will include hamburgers, cheeseburgers, hotdogs, iced tea, coffee, soda.

Two local jam bands comprised of neighbors will be performing to keep a festival vibe going for the afternoon.

Coupons were provided to neighbors whose homes the aerodrome pilots fly over for a free lunch and a chance at an airplane ride as a thank you from the society for tolerating the noise.

Between 50 to 60 rides are provided on Neighborhood Appreciation Day.

“As long as there’s good weather, there’s a good time,” said Jim Mularadelis, the event coordinator.

All 23 hangars are open at the living museum and Mularadelis invites the community “to talk with the pilots.”

For those who cannot make the Neighborhood Appreciation Day, the aerodrome is open from Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“Of course, we do take donations, but that’s not what it’s about. It’s about enjoying flying and teaching antique airplanes,” said Mularadelis.

The aerodrome pilots provide flyovers for veterans who have died, as well as the Town of Islip at Hecksher State Park, and over Calverton on Veterans Day.