Fly Van Buren soared to new heights on the morning of Saturday, June 8 at the Keosauqua, Iowa Municipal Airport (6K9). Around 20 planes and one helicopter made their way to the Villages of Van Buren for this annual event.
The Keosauqua Lions Club served up an all-you-can-eat pancake and sausage breakfast, selling over 220 breakfasts to hungry attendees. Meanwhile, Dar Chapman showcased his impressive collection of radio control airplanes in the hangar, captivating aviation enthusiasts of all ages.
Children had a blast creating their very own marshmallow shooters to take home, along with a coupon for a free small ice cream cone from Misty’s Malt Shop in Keosauqua—a sweet treat to round off a fun-filled morning.
“We were fortunate the rain went around us, blessing us a beautiful morning for this event. While the weather may have deterred a few pilots, we enjoyed a lovely morning outside. There’s nothing quite like savoring a delicious Lions Club breakfast while watching planes arrive and depart—it’s surprisingly relaxing! The Bell UH-1H ‘Huey’ helicopter was a delightful surprise and a hit with the crowd, adding to the excitement of the day!” said Emily Starnes, Executive Director for the Villages of Van Buren.
The event wrapped up with the annual door prize drawings for two airplane rides. Congratulations to the lucky winners, Mandi Maras and Jeremy Johnston.
Thank you to everyone who came out to make this year’s Fly Van Buren a soaring success. Be sure to mark your calendars for next year’s 25 th annual Fly Van Buren on June 7, 2025. We can’t wait to see you there!
