Scotts Warbird Alley to be Dedicated on Opening Day of EAA AirVenture 2010

EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wis. - (June 2, 2010) - Veterans and the legendary aircraft they served in will be honored at the dedication ceremony for the new Scotts Warbird Alley, scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Monday, July 26 - opening day of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh at Wittman Regional Airport. This year's fly-in runs through Sunday, August 1.

Through EAA's multi-year partnership with ScottsMiracle-Gro Company, visitors to EAA AirVenture in 2010 will see major improvements to the Warbirds area - including a presentation pad expansion for the popular "Warbirds in Review" daily program and a permanent Veterans Tribute monument. As part of the "Salute to Veterans" commemoration at AirVenture, among the several notable warbirds on display during the week will be the C-47, B-17, P-51 Mustangs, F-86 Sabre, Japanese A6M2 Model 21 Zero and a newly restored German Fw-190.

"Working with Scotts to expand the Warbirds area allows even more visitors the opportunity to enjoy and marvel at history," said Bill Fischer, EAA Warbirds of America executive director. "The new Scotts Warbird Alley will improve access to the warbirds and display them in a memorable setting that these aviation treasures deserve."

With two P-51s serving as a backdrop, a special honor guard will present the colors. Rick Siegfried, EAA Warbirds of America president; Tom Poberezny, EAA president and AirVenture chairman; and Jim Hagedorn, ScottsMiracle-Gro Company chairman and chief executive officer, are scheduled to speak. The "Warbirds in Review" sessions, spotlighting historical aircraft and the veterans who flew them, take place at daily 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., with the exception of July 26 when sessions will be held at 10 a.m. and noon. Admission to these programs is included with all AirVenture admissions and is part of one of the world's greatest annual gatherings of former military aircraft in one place.