Half Century - too good to last

Well, I read in the Champaign News Gazette this morning where the FAA is upset with the Half Century of Progress Show and how it is laid out. The main runway remains active and they are concerned over all the pedestrian and wheeled traffic that is on the runway and what would happen if a plane had to make an emergency landing. They cannot close the runway as they have received federal monies and with that there are strings. The way it reads the FAA is going to be major factor in how it is laid or if they let them use it at all. Should we begin looking for a new site?

I was at the Half Century show on Thursday in both 2009 and again this year. In my opinion I saw a lot more golf cart, atv, etc. traffic on the "live" runway this year than I did in 2009. There were more people at the show, too.
In 2009 I remember several announcements to stay off that runway, only cross it. This year I did not hear any. I will admit I spent more time at the field demos this year, but I was in the field near the drag line and the Cat crawler when the announcement was made to not drive under the big flag. I heard THAT.
It's a big show, maybe TOO BIG. At this point I'm undecided if I'll go next time.

Was this show ever called the Farm Progress Show? And what is that show at Decatur ILL called. Seems like all these shows have some Politics involved with them. If the Half Century Show is such a success would a place of it's own be appropriate or not? Only Handicaps should be allowed to have a motorized form of transportation, Electric, Gasoline, Diesel, Solar or what have you. I've attended several Farm Progress Shows and the motorized Golf Cart public creates a stressfull situation for us on foot,especially when operated by a juvenile and don't say that it does not happen because it does. The midway is no place for a moving vehicle amongst a mass of people.

I'm not a fan of all the golf carts, gators, etc either, but the way the show is laid out all over this sprawling complex it makes for a LOT of walking . Too much for most people to go back and forth to the different fields for the demonstrations and up to the display, vending area. The site is about as weatherproof as an outdoor event such as this could be, and has parking and roads enough for the crowd. Where else could handle the show? Active runway aside, the only plane I saw on it was a crop duster at the 09 show. Looked like no one was going to use it this time unless it was an emergency, and they can get it cleared fast if need be I THINK.

I missed the show this year dur to other travel plans. I hear it was very good with exception of police control of golf carts and four wheelers. Sounds like it is big enough to be every year rather than every other year. If they can't work things out with the emergency airbase there has to be a State Fairgrounds (or someplace) somewhere in the mid-west that would host it.

The Farm Progress Show started in 1953 by WLS Radio and Prairie Farmer Magazine. The first show was held near Armstrong, IL just east of Rantoul. The show rotated between IL, IN, and IA on individual farms. The Half Century of Progress Show came about in 2003 in honor of the Farm Progress Show"s 50th year. It was held at a separate site near the original show in 2003. Also in 2003, organizers of the Farm Progress Show began looking at permanent sites with the Chante Base as one of the finalists. Ultimately, Decatur was selected as the site for FPS and Half Century organizers decided to hold a similar event just ahead of the FPS when it is held in IL, thus the every other year concept. Half Century organizers felt Rantoul got screwed out of the FPS and decided on holding Half Century at the old base. The first Half Century show held at the Chanute base in 2005. Personally, I think the golf carts, ATV"s, gasrden tractors, etc...has gotten out of control. I agree if you are handicapped or elderly but able bodied people can walk or ride the people movers. There were many people, including me, walking on that runway. It is very spread out and they do not have enough people movers.

Do you belong to the I & I club? They are the group that is behind this show. I was told by a member of that group that there were 1000 golf carts for rent on Thursday, and every one was rented by 9 o'clock in the morning. I was also told that the I & I club gets $35.00 per day as their share of the rental fee. Even if they don't rent all of them each day, the club still would recieve over one hundred thousand dollars for all 4 days. This should be more than enough money to cover the insurance bill plus electricty used for the show.

I know there is a lot of other expensives but the gate receipts should pay for everything else.

I"m in my 60"s and made it just fine all day Thursday without a golf cart....I"ll bet I walked over 10 miles and could have did more....I watched several golf cart wrecks and seeing several pedestrians almost hit....Everywhere you went it was nothing but golf carts and lots were hauling younger people..

Show officials finally gave up on keeping carts and people off the main runway..

I belong to the club and your numbers miss the mark by a serious margin. In 2009 the club received $40,000 from the golf cart company and I expect this year the number will be similar.

The East West runway was closed for the show this year and the FAA was involved.

The budget and expenditures for this show are held pretty close, even from club members, but the net result is not as much as you might think and no where near the numbers you are writing about.

agonair,
Where else are you going to have a TRACTOR SHOW of this status in central Illinois?
Yes, there are a lot of golf carts/UTVs BUT Peoria pretty much shuts down the whole airport for the Airshow.
I like being able to drive 2 hours and see this trememdous show - Big Bud in 09 and the Kinze tractors in 11.
Plus the pickin, plowin, tractor pulls, etc.

Just my 0.02
Jim

Sounds like she needs to get out from behind her desk and actually visit the show. The crops that are planted at the show are further back than they were when it was just farmed.

Did anybody see the nice gouges in the north south runway where somebody dropped their plow? Now THAT is a problem.
State Agency doesnt like layout of event at airport.

I made a post on the tractor pulling board that I had never saw so many golf carts and side by sides in my life! The show was wonderful! We have a lifted electric cart, I love it, with my bad ankle and knee its the only way I can go. We never saw one wreck, most people gave walkers the right of way. Main street (where the food was) was wall to carts and people. But I think everyone survived. It's what happens when something gets really popular. We will be back if at all possible, maybe we can win the 4500 lb tractor pull again! LOL Vic

I just got unpacked from 3 days at the half century show. It was my first trip to the show, its a great time and I will be back! It was awesome to see all the people, golfcarts, and side-by-sides!! All it takes is everyone to use a little common sense and courtesy and all goes well. I suppose if your offended or dont like what goes on there then DONT GO. If the "open runway" is such an important deal then all they have to do is announce it on the PA or post it on signs. most of my time was spent in the fields watching folks relive the GOOD OLE' DAYS but I still heard the countless announcements on the PA about the 5 mph speed limit and SAFETY. There where Safety reminder signs posted every few hundred feet all around the grounds but I never seen a thing about an "open runway". Seems there is always some donkey trying to ruin the finer things in life!!!
sorry bout the rant but some people just need to learn to enjoy life.

That runway was closed this year... Kinda makes it a non-issue

No I was not at the show, I went to Portland.
However I will type to the runway issue.
An active runway MUST have a safety area around it. Size varies as to class of airport. I"m sure the airfield safety folks know this. Also, yes, they can close the airport for an event. Cleveland Lakefront does it for a car race and many for airshows. The FAA will work with you.
And yes, I work for an airport and know the FFA regs for airfield operations.

-steve

My neighbor rented a cart and they charged him $100 if the show isn"t getting at least $35 they should get someone else. Also another neighbor called as he was going and was told all the carts were rented, They were charging $20 to take in your own. There were easily 5 times more private ones as rented ones. The money should be substantial. Vic