Tickets on sale January 1st through April 7th or until sold out!
Join us for our annual celebration of the Women Airforce Service Pilots
Homecoming and Fly-in Celebration 2023
"Journey to the Stars"
Honoring the WASP and 30 years of Women in Combat
Looking for professional opportunities to fly, women pilots formally organized themselves through the formation of the Ninety-Nines in 1929. While many worked as instructors, crop dusters, barnstormers, and aviation entertainers in the early years, female pilots caught their first big break in 1942. Gen Henry “Hap” Arnold was in desperate need of pilots to carry out duties in the US.
The women ran towards the opportunity and formally declared, “We live in the wind and sand, and our eyes are on the stars. They worked with excellence and valor and proved themselves able to fly on par with their male counterparts. Their unit was disbanded, and the WASP did not reach the stars they longed to touch; but they inspired successive generations to fly further. Because of the WASP, women are in the military and have been flying in combat since 1993 – 30 years. Join us as we celebrate the women pilots who opened the night sky and the pilots who flew to the stars.
FRIDAY - APRIL 28, 2023
KIN OF WASP
BRUNCH
Located at the Texas State Technical College (TSTC) campus.
ANNUAL WISHING
WELL PHOTO
Located at the Texas State Technical College (TSTC) campus by the WASP Wishing Well.
“…Our Eyes are on the Stars.”
10:00 – 12:00 am
Let’s celebrate the origin of women in aviation as we remember the WASP.
Masters of Ceremony will be John Marsh and Kathleen Fowler – children of WASP Marie Barret Marsh.
Tune your singing voice and get ready for a WASP-along!
Bring your favorite WASP story to share with your table during brunch or while mingling. Be sure to bring or email a copy for our Archive. The Museum wants to tell the most complete stories of your WASP.
For WASP families and their guests. $25 per person, ages 3 and up. Lap children are free.
Tickets on sale from January 1st – April 7th or until sold out.
Standing in Honor of the WASP
5:30 pm
All WASP families and legacy pilots are invited to take part in this annual photo opportunity.
Flight suits or WWII attire is encouraged.
FRIDAY - APRIL 28, 2023
THE RENDEZVOUS
1940s themed dinner dance located in Hangar 2 on the WASP campus.
“Journey to the Stars”
Doors open at 5:30 pm
Dinner followed by program and auction at 6:30 pm
Master of Ceremonies, Michelle “Mo” Barrett
Keynote Speaker, Sharon “Betty” Preszler, The first woman to fly the F-16 in combat
Remarks from Gen Jeannie Leavitt, USAF and Col Martha McSally, USAF (ret)
Dancing with live band on the apron at 9:00 pm
Tickets on sale from January 1st – April 7th or until sold out. Only 300 premium seats available.
Pricing:
Gold Tables for 8 – $1,200
Silver Tables for 6 – $900
Individual Tickets – $120
Help us achieve our goal of raising $150,000 for Hangar 1 exhibit renovation!
FRIDAY & SATURDAY - APRIL 28-29, 2023
The FLY-IN!
Located at the Sweetwater Airport & WASP campus grounds
Spend a day at the Museum!
Friday 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Saturday 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Schedule of appearances and more information about the event will be posted on this page on our website in March.
On Friday and Saturday, tour the Museum and learn more about the WASP from our exhibits and special guest authors and speakers. Take a leap back in time with live re-enactors. Delight your eyes on the ground and in the air with Warbirds, military trainers, and general aviation on Avenger Field. On Friday, limited food trucks will be available. Don’t forget to take some memories home from the gift shop.
Saturday is a bigger day! Plan to come early and stay late. We will have our full range of aircraft, but also keep a close look-out for Dyess Air Force Base’s very own Drop Landing Zone Team. We will have more authors and speakers. Students and parents will have a great time in our Cadet Zone with all-new STEM activities and crafts. Kids will enjoy flying trainer model airplanes with our adult volunteers and viewing replica WWI & WWII model planes.
Catch some brunch, lunch and dessert at our full offering of food trucks. Enjoy an afternoon glass of exquisite wine from Hidden Hangar Winery.
It’s a weekend to remember – don’t miss out.
The WASP Museum invites all Warbirds to Avenger Field in celebration of the WASP on April 28 – 29. For more information, please contact Josh Hamaty at 325-232-1566 or at aviation@waspmuseum.org.
CAF Central Texas Wing Aircraft Attendance Confirmed
Featured Authors & Speakers
Schedule of appearances of featured authors & speakers will be published in March.
Erin Miller – Author
Erin Miller is the proud granddaughter of Elaine Danforth Harmon, a member of the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) during WWII. Her grandmother’s last request was to be laid to
Christy Hui – Author
“Glass ceilings are made to be flown through!” Christy Hui grew up in China, reading every martial arts novel she could find and dreaming of becoming a martial artist. After
Jacqueline Camacho-Ruiz – Author
Jacqueline S. Ruiz is a visionary social entrepreneur that has created an enterprise of inspiration. Her keen sense of service coupled with the vision to bring good to the world
Lisa M. Bolt Simons – Author
Lisa M. Bolt Simons started writing young: letters to her grandparents and the tooth fairy. She’s published more than 40 children’s nonfiction books, four middle grade “choose your path” novels,
Sarah Byrn Rickman – Author
Sarah Byrn Rickman knew at age 5 she wanted to write books. At 13, she read about Amelia Earhart and wanted to fly. A 20-plus year career in journalism —
Sharon “Betty” Preszler – Keynote Speaker
Sharon “Betty” Preszler is an aviation pioneer, hand-picked to be the first woman to fly the F-16 in the United States Air Force. Sharon uses her experiences integrating the F-16
Michelle “Mo” Barrett – Master of Ceremonies
Whether in Air Force cockpits, combat bare-base environments, barbershop quartets, or parental caregiving, Mo Barrett is a Catalytic Comedian, using humor to change the way you laugh, learn and think.
2023 Homecoming Sponsorship Opportunities
Thank you so much for your consideration in sponsoring the WASP Homecoming Celebration and Fly-in. With your generosity, this highly entertaining, multi-day expanded event will commemorate the WASP and their legacy pilots.
Thank you to our 2023 Homecoming Sponsors!
