The Baxter County Airport will host an inaugural event, the Crosswind Classic, on Saturday, August 29. The day-long celebration will take place from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the airport, located approximately five miles northwest of Mountain Home in Midway.
Billed as both an aviation gathering and a family-friendly occasion, the Crosswind Classic will feature a variety of activities, including an aviation-themed poker run, a car show, and a static display of parked aircraft. Attendees will have the opportunity to view general aviation planes, experimental aircraft, and historic warbirds up close. Additional attractions include live music, food trucks, and a kids' zone.
"We’re focused on keeping this event kid-friendly," said Rylan Wynn, who works in fueling and towing at the airport and previously served in the Air Force maintaining F-16 fighter jets.
The day will begin with a coffee and doughnuts social hosted by EAA Twin Lakes Chapter 775 at 8 a.m. at the Bayird Aviation FBO. This will be followed by a safety briefing for the pilots participating in the aviation poker run. Admission and parking for the event are free for the public, but pilots flying in the poker run must pre-register and pay $30, which includes a meal token for one of the food trucks. Aircraft displayed on the static ramp also require pre-registration at a cost of $25.
The Crosswind Classic comes amid a series of significant upgrades to the airport's facilities. Over $2.5 million has been invested in the field over the last three years, funding projects such as new hangar construction designed to attract aviation businesses to the county. Looking ahead, the Baxter County Airport Authority plans to expand the airport’s runway to support future commercial commuter service. According to Federal Aviation Administration records, the airport is home to 74 aircraft and saw approximately 11,500 takeoffs and landings in 2024.
For more details, including pilot registration or event inquiries, organizers can be contacted. Airport Manager Taylor Carmichael is reachable at (870) 481-5418, while Wynn can be contacted at (417) 989-1021, and EAA Twin Lakes Chapter 775 President Bill Holland at (405) 626-1386. Email inquiries may be sent to crosswindclassic@gmail.com.