TIM WEIGHT/FOR THE EXPRESS Photos are seen from a past year’s Sentimental Journey Fly-In, which this year will return for its 39th year.

LOCK HAVEN — The Sentimental Journey Fly-In is soaring into its 39th year, with new efforts to draw in a wider audience beyond aviation lovers.

What would have been the Fly-In’s 40th anniversary — had it not been grounded in 2020 due to COVID-19 — marks a new chapter, as longtime organizers prepare to hand off control to newly elected leadership, ready to take the helm and pilot the event into its next era.

The Fly-In began in the mid-80s, after the closure of Piper Aircraft’s headquarters in Lock Haven, as a way to preserve the legacy of the iconic Piper Cub and get young people engaged in aviation.

This year, the Sentimental Journey Fly-In will be from June 17 to 21 at Piper Memorial Airport in Lock Haven, with tickets priced at $12 for adults, $5 for attendees aged 13-17 and free entry for those 12 and under.

“The mission really of Sentimental Journey is to preserve the legacy of Piper Aircraft, especially the beloved Piper Cub, but it’s really a weeklong reunion get-together of pilots from all over the country and world,” said Sentimental Journey Fly-In Executive Coordinator Kim Garlick.

TIM WEIGHT/FOR THE EXPRESS Photos are seen from a past year’s Sentimental Journey Fly-In, which this year will return for its 39th year.

While the Piper Cub is an iconic aircraft with many devoted fans, many people’s attachment stems from having repaired their planes themselves.

“Most of these people who own these airplanes didn’t buy them already up and flying,” Garlick explained. “Many of them bought them as projects in barns, garages and hangars, and they’ve put a lot of blood, sweat and tears into getting them airborne. They’re very, very proud of their planes.”

So, Garlick said, the biggest draw is the camaraderie among the pilots and aviation enthusiasts who attend each year. These men and women come together to meet like-minded people with similar interests, building lasting relationships.

As the Fly-In continues to evolve, organizers recognize the importance of bringing in fresh ideas and building new, lasting relationships.

“We needed to get the younger people more involved, because the older generation, this is our last year. We’re hanging it up,” she added. “So it’s really nice to see the younger people coming in to take over with more exciting ideas.”

TIM WEIGHT/FOR THE EXPRESS Photos are seen from a past year’s Sentimental Journey Fly-In, which this year will return for its 39th year.

That vision includes broadening the Fly-In’s appeal beyond aviation enthusiasts.

Executive Assistant Esther Gardner explained, “We want to draw in people who aren’t necessarily connected to flying,” adding that they’ve been hard at work planning and implementing new ideas to keep the Fly-In thriving.

Their current focus is bringing the Fly-In into the digital era and offering new events to appeal to attendees who may not be as interested in aviation, like pilots’ spouses and families.

Over the past 40 years, much about how we communicate has changed. To keep up with the times, the Fly-In is enhancing its digital footprint through online marketing, an expanded social media presence and new software to digitize some of its operations.

“We are going to get way more into the modern age with social media and our social media presence,” said Gardner.

Recently, the organization brought on a social media manager to oversee its Facebook and Instagram channels and keep them up to date.

“We’re just working real hard on getting into the social media technology so that we can get more current and hopefully attract younger people,” she said.

Gardner also shared that they are adopting an easy-to-use club management software, which will allow them to send out Fly-In registrations and easily process membership payments online.

“It’s going to wind up being our new webpage,” said Gardner. “It will have stuff on there for just the average person who’s browsing, and then it will also have stuff on there for members.”

As organizers look to modernize the Fly-In, they are also working to expand its appeal with engaging in-person events.

After the success of last year’s car show in partnership with Central Pennsylvania Street Machines for example, Fly-In organizers have invited them back for another year.

Every year, the Fly-In partners with Lycoming Engine — a major American manufacturer of aircraft engines that powers more than half the world’s general aviation fleet — to tour their factory in Williamsport. This year, however, they are also exploring trips to non-aviation-themed local destinations, such as Penn’s Cave, in Centre Hall, and the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon, in Wellsboro, to appeal to non-pilots attending the event.

Still, at its core, the Fly-In remains dedicated to celebrating aviation and inspiring future generations of pilots.

“Without aviation, we’re sunk,” Garlick said. “Everything the country needs pretty much relies on airplanes to accomplish,” she asserted, reiterating the importance of keeping interest in aviation alive for young people.

Part of how they’ve done that historically is with their daily Children’s Hour, where kids can gather together for airplane-themed crafts and activities. In the past, they’ve made airplanes in a jar, planes out of candies and beaded bracelets. This year, kids can also get their faces painted on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Additionally, children can enter a contest where, for a dollar, they can make a paper airplane and compete to see whose flies the farthest from the top of the tower — the winner takes home the pot.

“We always throw in some money as well to make it interesting,” Garlick noted.

But the games aren’t only for the kids. The Fly-In will continue its tradition of hosting a poker run to various airports, as well as the popular spot-landing and bomb drop contests. Attendees can also take part in the basket raffle, 50/50 drawing and auction, which will be held on Friday this year.

Interested pilots may also elect to enter their planes into the Fly-In’s judging competition. The best part? The plane doesn’t even need to be a Piper, as they welcome planes of all makes and models.

Attendees of all types can look forward to browsing the various vendors, offering everything from Sentimental Journey memorabilia and Piper Museum merchandise to food and other unique items.

In addition, live performances will take place every evening from Tuesday through Friday. The ever-popular Lindy Sisters are making a comeback, all the way from California, and Western Range will also perform, offering a variety of music for everyone to enjoy.

The organizers also teased that they are hoping to have helicopter and or airplane rides available this year.

And as always, the week will wind down with a banquet Friday evening, open to all, during which awards will be presented.

While many of the pilots camp beneath the wings of their aircraft, for non-pilots there is a spacious camping ground on the Castanea side of the airport the organization leases for people to bring tents and campers. The Fly-In has also reserved a block of rooms at the Best Western on East Walnut Street for attendees to book.

“We have transportation to and from (various local hotels) all day long,” said Garlick, who noted that their service typically extends as far as the hotels in Lamar.

Already excited for the Fly-In? Whether you fly or drive in, come enjoy an all-you-can-eat pancake and sausage breakfast with real maple syrup, specially brought in from Tioga County. The breakfast will be served on Sunday, May 4, and September 21, from 8 a.m. until noon, or until the food runs out, at Hangar 1 of Piper Memorial Airport. The cost is $13 for adults (13 and up) and $6 for children.

For more information about the 39th Sentimental Journey to Cub Haven Fly-In 2025, call 570-893-4200 or visit www.sentimentaljourneyfly-in.com

Sentimental Journey Fly-In

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353 Proctor St,

Lock Haven, PA 17745

570-893-4200