Norwood Airport Centennial Open House Draws Massive Crowds for Balloon Rides and Aviation Exhibits-July 31, 1972

The sun shone brightly on the residents of Norwood, Massachusetts, as they gathered at the local airport to celebrate a momentous occasion – the town’s centennial. The year was 1972, and the atmosphere was electric with excitement as the community came together to commemorate this significant milestone in their history.

As part of the festivities, the Norwood Airport played host to an open house event that drew in crowds from far and wide. The airport, which had been a hub for aviation enthusiasts for decades, was abuzz with activity as visitors flocked to witness the various displays and demonstrations on offer.

One of the main attractions at the event was the hot air balloon rides sponsored by Wiggins Airways. The balloons, which could hold up to 56,000 cubic feet of hot air, were filled by burners that produced two-and-a-half million BTUs of energy. The balloonists, all members of the Balloon Federation of America, planned to fly wherever the wind blew them, but set down about an hour later.

Among those who took to the skies was Selectman Walter J. Dempsey, who soared aloft with Ralph Hall of Lexington. “The best thing about balloon flying is that one has no idea where he is going,” said Dr. Clayton Thomas, vice president of Tampax Inc., as he and his companion, Mike McKinley of Billerica, were forced to stay on the ground due to problems with their hot air burner.

The open house event also featured a display of glider wings by the 747 Club, which consisted of area youth interested in aviation. The club’s members had spent countless hours perfecting their craft, and their dedication paid off as they showcased their skills to the gathered crowd.

In addition to the balloon rides and glider displays, the airport was also home to a model airplane contest sponsored by Norwood Aviation. The contest drew in entries from all over the region, with the winners receiving prizes for their outstanding workmanship. Among the winners were Darrell Brisette, 13, of 60 Bullard St., Norwood; Bob Balquist, 13, of 75 Arnold St., Norwood; and Ken Balquist, 11, Bob’s brother.

The event also featured a display of modern aircraft, an exhibit of the flight training school of Northeastern University, which was based at the airport. The university’s students had spent countless hours honing their skills in the art of flight, and their dedication paid off as they showcased their expertise to the gathered crowd.

As the day drew to a close, the organizers of the event reported that over 1,000 flights had taken off from the field, making it one of the busiest single days in the airport’s history. The success of the open house event was a testament to the community’s enthusiasm for aviation and their dedication to preserving their town’s rich history.

As H.R. Waite, an aviation pioneer from Norwood, examined an antique Army biplane on display at the airport, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride in his town’s achievements. With over 50,000 licensed pilots now flying in the United States, Mr. Waite’s solo flight in 1869 was a significant milestone in the history of aviation.

The centennial celebration marked a new chapter in Norwood’s history, one that would be filled with excitement and innovation as the town continued to grow and thrive. As the residents of Norwood looked to the future, they did so with a sense of pride and accomplishment, knowing that their town had played a significant role in shaping the world of aviation.

Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger