Country music stars Lonestar will highlight Naval Air Station Whiting Field's (NASWF) 66th Anniversary celebration Saturday, Oct. 24. Country music sensation Lonestar will highlight Naval Air Station Whiting Field's (NASWF) 66th Anniversary celebration Saturday, Oct. 24. The band will perform a free afternoon concert to culminate the day's activities at the base. The festival is Whiting Field's chance to say "thanks" to the local residents who have supported the base through its long history and continue to help sustain NASWF's mission today.

"Whiting Field has been a part of this community since 1943, and it is only right that we invite our neighbors and friends in the area to celebrate our anniversary with us," said Capt. Enrique Sadsad, commanding officer NASWF.

The event kicks off at 10 a.m. and continues through 4 p.m. when the free concert will begin. Aircraft static displays, aerial demonstrations, motorcycle displays, military parachutists, local craft and food vendors, model aircraft demonstrations, games for the kids, a fire-fighters' demonstration and display and the Navy New Orleans Ceremonial Band are just a few of the activities available to see and do. Gates to the base will open to the public at 8:30 a.m.

Both the anniversary celebration and the concert are free and open to the public, but the concert requires a ticket for entrance. WXBM 102.7 and Cat Country 98.7 radio and other show sponsors will announce locations where you may pick up the show passes.

Throughout the history of the base, NASWF has served as a pilot training base. Growing from a few isolated buildings built by German prisoners of war to a facility with thirteen outlying fields, two primary fields, and encompassing more than 12,000 acres would not have happened without tremendous community support, Sadsad said.

The base serves as the home for Training Wing- FIVE which trains approximately 1,300 students annually in primary flight instruction as well as advanced helicopter training. More than 11 percent of the Navy and Marine Corps' total flight hours are flown from Whiting Field facilities.

The base's actual anniversary date was July 16, but Whiting Field wanted to schedule the community celebration at a time when the weather was more accommodating for an outdoor event. For more information on the event call (850) 623-7651 press 1 and ext. 27.

"We want people to come out and enjoy a day of fun on us," Sadsad said. "This area has always been a terrific neighbor to us, and this is our way of giving a little back."