Some people long to have been born in a different era, seeing it through rose-colored lenses and sometimes forgetting about the realities of decades past. Luckily, we have things like 1940s Day, so we can swing dance with our honey and wear fun vintage clothes without dealing with things like, you know, World War II, polio or the struggle for civil rights.
Just for a day, the Cincinnati Museum Center is turning back time at Lunken Airport. Check out a vintage car and plane show, shop from vendors like Casablanca Vintage, strut your stuff in the "Vintage Beauties" costume contest, check out historic displays, take a group photo to commemorate the passing of Naomi Parker Fraley aka Rosie the Riveter and of course, dance your way through the decade to Swing, Big Band and Andrews Sisters-style music all day long.
Here's a list of events and exhibitors quoted from the Museum Center:
- "Casablanca Vintage Clothing is returning and will have their dapper wares on hand while the Friends of the Public Library will keep bookworms happy with their selection of history books, golden book classics and more.
- The Holocaust and Humanity Center, the USO chapter of Central and Southern Ohio, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, Lebanon Railroad Museum, and the Cincinnati Fire Museum will have displays on view all day.
- Treat yourself to a cool treat from the Aglamesis Brothers ice cream cart, partake in some goodies from local food trucks or the Sky Galley Restaurant which will be open to keep you well sated.
- You are not dreaming…the Axis Nightmare is returning along with other vintage airplanes provided by the Cincy Warbirds and Tri State Warbird Museum. Be sure to cruise by the annual vintage car show featuring vehicles from the 1920s, 1930s and the 1940s. Cars* and planes* will be located on the tarmac.
- Calling all Rosie the Riveters! Naomi Parker Fraley, the inspiration for the real life Rosie the Riveter, passed away this year at the age of 96 and to honor her memory we WANT YOU to gather around the B-25 Bomber for a group photo. Hundreds of thousands of women either served in the armed forces on the home front or abroad. Thousands of other women went into the labor force to help with the labor shortage and help the Allies to gain victory in Europe and the Pacific. This photograph will act as a small way to commemorate their service and dedication to the Allied cause.
- Cincinnati Dinner Train will be there to tell you all about their 1940s themed night on their Cincinnati Dinner Train!"
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday (Aug. 11). $10 adult; $5 child; free for veterans and Museum Center members. Lunken Airport, 262 Wilmer Ave, East End, cincymuseumcenter.org.
