Tompkins County Airport Day & Preparedness Expo is September 19th

The Tompkins County Departments of Emergency Response and Whole Health are again partnering with the Ithaca Tompkins International Airport for the 2026 Airport Day & Preparedness Expo – A Community Celebration on Saturday, September 19th from 7am to 1pm.

 

The day will start with the annual Runway 5k and East Hill Flying Club Pancake Breakfast, followed by a variety of activities, informational displays, health screenings, and a county employee-sponsored Red Cross community blood drive.

 

“This family-friendly event will take place in the area between East Hill Flying Club and Taughannock Aviation off Brown Road,” said Chris Stephany, Marketing and Air Service Development Director for the Airport. “In addition to aircraft displays and tours of the control tower, there will be scenic flights, hot air balloon rides, and the chance again this year to experience the National Warplane Museum’s historic C-47 ‘Whiskey 7’.”

 

“As September is National Preparedness Month, there will be a number of displays and demonstrations focused on emergency preparedness, health, and safety,” stated Geoff Dunn, Community Preparedness Coordinator for Tompkins County Emergency Response. “These include CPR demonstrations, blood pressure screenings, a Citizen Preparedness Corps training class, and on-the-spot child safety seat inspections by the state police.”

 

More than 30 agencies and organizations will be participating, including local law enforcement and fire companies, Emergency Medical Services, the Ithaca Salvation Army, Cayuga Health Systems, Guthrie, and the National Weather Service Binghamton Office. A full list of participants can be found at www.flyithaca.com/airportday.  

 

“We invite everyone to take advantage of this opportunity to learn about the many resources available to improve safety and well-being for themselves, their families and their community,” added Tompkins County Whole Health Communications Coordinator Shannon Alvord.

 

The Citizen Preparedness Corps training is at 10:00am. Each family that attends will receive one Disaster Preparedness Kit. Pre-registration is required at www.prepare.ny.gov. 

 

The Red Cross community blood-drive is from 9:00am to 2:00pm at Tompkins County Whole Health (55 Brown Road). Visit www.RedCrossBlood.org and use the sponsor code Tompkinscares to make an appointment.

 

Parking for the event is provided at no charge in the long-term lot at the airport.

 

PLEASE NOTE: While free and open to the public, select activities are at-cost. These include the pancake breakfast, scenic flights, and the hot air balloon and Whiskey 7 rides.