The fly-in will take place at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29 at Beatty Field.

The fly-in is part of Red Ribbon Week, an annual drug and alcohol prevention program that is celebrated across the nation the last week of October to raise awareness about the need for drug, alcohol and violence prevention, as well as intervention and treatment. The Tonganoxie School District, in conjunction with the Kansas National Guard Counterdrug/Drug Reduction Program, will present the fly-in.

Also during the event, the Tonganoxie VFW will post the colors, patriotic songs will be sung and speeches carrying a drug-free message given. In addition, a marching band concert and pep rally with THS cheerleaders and football team members will take place.

Blackhawk helicopters are some of the largest transport helicopters in use today. They are more than 65 feet long and 17 feet tall, and have a rotor diameter of 53 feet. They can weigh 11 tons fully loaded and travel at 159 knots — or 180 miles per hour.

The event is free and open to the public. In the event of inclement weather, the program will be canceled.