Vintage Aircraft and Classic Cars Land at Shiflet Field Saturday
Nebo, NC · October 15, 2026
Sunlight is drying out the valley floor across the county this morning. You have clear skies overhead and preview bidding starting tonight down at the Box Factory.
The Lead
Just days after weekend runoff pooled across portions of Shiflet Marion-McDowell Airport, maintenance crews and volunteers have cleared the turf, giving the green light for Saturday’s second annual Fly-In & Drive-In. The 3,340-foot grass airstrip—which has welcomed aviators along the Blue Ridge foothills since 1928—dried out remarkably fast thanks to steady autumn sunshine.
For neighbors, the gathering represents more than an afternoon of viewing vintage warbirds, visiting helicopters, and antique roadsters up close. Shiflet served as a critical staging lifeline when regional roads were cut off during past storm emergencies, and Saturday’s free showcase celebrates that enduring community backbone. Alongside aircraft displays, organizers have lined up flight simulators, local food trucks, and paper airplane design contests for kids. Pilots begin touching down on the turf runway at 11:00 AM Saturday, with gates open to the public through 2:00 PM.
Local Pulse
Architects Reveal Renderings for Consolidated Elementary School Schools McDowell commissioners reviewed preliminary site layouts for the U.S. 70 campus replacing Marion and Eastfield facilities.
Community Rallies to Assist Historic Livermush Producer Business A grassroots fundraising effort launched to help Marion's heritage meat processor replace crucial refrigeration equipment.
Today's Outlook
- High 81°F · Low 61°F — Clear
- Enjoy warm, bright sunshine all afternoon, but keep a light layer handy for tonight.
What's On Around Town
Today
Sweat & Sip Appalachian Mountain Brewery Outpost (78A Catawba Ave), Old Fort, Noon–12:45 PM · Free Midday high-intensity workout on the patio before relaxing with a drink.
October Art Crawl Downtown Morganton (112 W Union St), Morganton, 5:00–7:00 PM · Free Stroll through downtown galleries showcasing works by dozens of regional artists.
43rd Annual Rotary Auction The Box Factory (50 S Main St), Marion, 5:00 PM · Free Browse community goods at preview before live charity bidding starts.
Local History Night Thornwell Books (202 S Sterling St), Morganton, 5:30 PM · Free Hear regional history lore before a guided museum gallery tour.
Tomorrow
- Fall Arts and Crafts Market Artisan League of Little Switzerland (9426 NC-226A), Little Switzerland, 10:00 AM–4:00 PM · Free
- Trivia at Euda Euda Wine (164 Commerce St), Old Fort, 5:30–7:00 PM · Free
- Mary Poppins Jr. The Box Factory (50 S Main St), Marion, 7:00 PM · Paid
Saturday
- Shiflet Field Fly-In & Drive-In Shiflet Field (2654 Airport Rd), Marion, 11:00 AM–2:00 PM · Free
- Old Fort Bluegrass Jam Foothills Watershed (655 Catawba River Rd), Old Fort, 1:00–4:00 PM · Free
- Live Music at the Orchard: Backline Historic Orchard at Altapass (1025 Orchard Rd), Little Switzerland, 1:00–3:00 PM · Free
Spotlight & Story
- Pleasant Gardens
- When pioneer "Hunting" John McDowell settled the fertile Catawba River flats in 1768, he christened his sprawling tract Pleasant Gardens. The moniker took hold permanently, distinguishing his son, Revolutionary Major "Pleasant Gardens Joe" McDowell, from his Morganton cousin, "Quaker Meadows Joe."
Nebo Daily Digest — compiled from local sources as of 6 AM. For breaking updates, follow your local newsrooms.
Sent with care by MailerDot — your city, every morning.