Local Balloon Artists To Create Sculpted Balloon Model

Nashville International Airport (KBNA) invites members of the community to attend the BNA Balloon Build Day ... a special event at KBNA in celebration of its 75th anniversary on June 17 from 1–4 p.m. Those attending the free event can watch the building of a half-scale sculpted balloon model of a DC-3 aircraft. A DC-3 was the first plane to land at KBNA.

The sculpture will be made completely out of environmentally friendly balloons. It will be lifted into the terminal on June 19 and will remain afloat for about one month.

The Nashville International Airport opened in June 1937. Originally constructed as a federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) project, the airport was named Berry Field in honor of Colonel Harry S. Berry, state administrator of the WPA. The three-letter identifier, BNA, stands for Berry Field Nashville. In 1937, the new airport consisted of a terminal building, two hangars, a 4,000-foot concrete runway and a flashing beacon. American and Eastern airlines were the first air carriers to serve Nashville, and within the year, 189,000 passengers had enjoyed the facilities.

Berry Field became the military base for the 4th Ferrying Command during World War II. The federal government added additional acreage for its military operations, and in 1946 after the war ended, the military returned a 1,500-acre airport to the city of Nashville.

For the event on Father's Day, visitors are asked to park in the Short Term garage and bring their parking stub inside to be validated for free parking. The event will also include balloon artists, face painting for children, live music and more.

FMI: www.flynashville.com