WATSONVILLE FLY-IN & AIRSHOW INC

FREEDOM, CA

navajo trail store in chemeketa park where me and kevin lived in the early 90s — navajo trail store Credit: Liz Henry

Watsonville Fly-In & Airshow Inc in Freedom CA is an organization that provides airshow entertainment to the public. It has been a part of the local community since 1994, and is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting aviation safety and education.

The Fly-In & Airshow is held every year on the third weekend in May, and it features an amazing array of aerial performances, aircraft displays, and educational activities. The event is held at the Watsonville Municipal Airport, and it is the only airshow in the country that is produced by an all-volunteer staff.

The Fly-In & Airshow features a variety of aircraft from all eras, as well as modern military jets. Some of the aircraft on display include vintage warbirds, classic aircraft, aerobatic teams, radio-controlled airplanes, and modern jets. The show also includes performances from stunt pilots, vintage fly-bys, and a variety of other aerial acts.

The Fly-In & Airshow also offers educational programs on aviation and aircraft, as well as hands-on activities. There are also vendor booths, food and drink stands, and a Kid's Zone with rides and games.

The event is free to the public, and it has become an annual tradition for many families in the area. It is a wonderful opportunity for people to get an up-close look at some amazing aircraft and experience the thrill of aviation.

WATSONVILLE FLY-IN & AIRSHOW INC is a Historical Societies, Historic Preservation in FREEDOM CA. US MID #8400602150

The museum is classed as HSC (Historical Societies, Historic Preservation). It comes under American Alliance of Museums (AAM) region: Western (Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington). Total revenue from most recent IRS 990 Form: $ 118,945 from tax period 201212 (YYYYMM).

Salinas / ‘guard animal’? (#0069) Getting closer to why I was visiting the park, I came across this unusual statue – again with no description. But, the fenced enclosure in the background is my real reason for visiting (forthcoming picture).

Máyyan 'Ooyákma - Coyote Ridge Wildflowers This Santa Clara Valley open space preserve south of San Jose, CA opened in 2023 and has 5 miles of trails. I saw lots of wildflowers during my hike.

Castroville / Japanese Schoolhouse internment – to detention (# 0016) Description of of being rounded up and forced to leave for the detention center.

See the <u><a href="https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=63714" rel="noreferrer nofollow">schoolhouse marker</a></u> for detail of the text.

<i>Use the “Castroville Japanese Schoolhouse” tag to connect the pictures.</i>

Castroville / Japanese Schoolhouse internment cycle (# 0028) A fascinating, and very under-utilized, historical site in Castroville, which is on the way to Monterey, CA. I fortunately discovered it, and a number of other places related to Japanese and Chinese history in California, just by searching through <u><a href="https://www.hmdb.org" rel="noreferrer nofollow">The Historical Marker Database</a></u>.

Japanese laborers had been migrating to this area since the late 1800’s as tenant farmers (the primary crop remains artichokes). By the 1930’s there were enough Japanese families that they wanted a schoolhouse to preserve history and also to provide a community for their children that was safe from the local hostility. The “Japanese Schoolhouse,” founded in 1936, was short-lived since in 1942 all Japanese were ordered to be interred, due to the war with Japan.

Historical Marker <u>”<a href="https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=63772" rel="noreferrer nofollow">For the Sake of the Children</a>”</u> provides a good description of the history of the area. Note that the schoolhouse is sometimes referred to as the Castroville Japanese Language School. Use the <i>Castroville Japanese Schoolhouse</i> tag to connect the pictures.

Castroville / Japanese Schoolhouse – monument (# 0030) As the <u><a href="http://www.mchsmuseum.com/Japanese.html" rel="noreferrer nofollow">Monterey County</a></u> site and the <u><a href="https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=63714" rel="noreferrer nofollow">HMDB timeline</a></u> describe the schoolhouse and the Castroville community, the town has historically been home to migrants who work in the surrounding fields, and those migrants have regularly had a concern that their children remember their heritage and use their heritage for protection, thus the “ For the Sake of the Children” motto.

Unfortunately, the site is not well-marked on either of the major highways passing it, and there are no signs in the town leading to it. Thus, much like I’ve experienced in other recent efforts to understand historic discrimination and hostility to Asian populations, there seems to be a concerted effort to keep that past invisible.

<i>Use the “Castroville Japanese Schoolhouse” tag to connect the pictures.</i>

Contact WATSONVILLE FLY-IN & AIRSHOW INC

WATSONVILLE FLY-IN & AIRSHOW INC
PO BOX 1001
FREEDOM
CA
95019-1001

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WATSONVILLE FLY-IN & AIRSHOW INC Information

MID #	8400602150
Name	WATSONVILLE FLY-IN & AIRSHOW INC
Alternate Name
Classification	Historical Societies, Historic Preservation, , Western
Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN)	912052814
NTEECC	A80
Tax period of the latest return filed (YYYYMM)	201212
INCOME	133,712
REVENUE	118,945
LAT/LONG	36.935529, -121.776215
CODES	FIPS State Code: 06 FIPS County Code: 087 US Census Tract: 110600 US Census Block: 4011