Kill Devil Hills, NC
March 27, 2003

Lawrence A. Belli, Superintendent, National Park Service, Outer Banks Group and Ken Mann, Chairman of North Carolina’s First Flight Centennial Commission, announced today that acclaimed singing acts The Temptations and Aaron Tippin have agreed to perform as part of the First Flight Centennial Celebration December 12 – 17, 2003, at Wright Brothers National Memorial.

“We are excited that artists of this caliber have agreed to honor the significance of flight by performing during this six-day celebration,” said Belli. “They will be an exciting addition to the exhibits, aircraft displays and educational programming already in place.”

The Temptations, known for 60’s hits such as “The Way You Do the Things You Do” and “My Girl,” will be featured as part of the “Remember the Past, Imagine the Future” programming on Sunday, December 14. Activities this day will celebrate aviation’s impact over the last century and also will feature appearances by historic aviators, exhibits chronicling this history of flight and aircraft demonstrations.

Tippin, one of America’s hottest country music performers, is a former commercial airline pilot and aviation enthusiast who began his singing career after a slowdown in air travel in the mid-1980s. His 1991 album “Stars and Stripes” featured the hit single "Where the Stars and Stripes and The Eagle Fly.” He will honor military aviators by performing during the Monday, December 15 “Protecting the Home of the Brave” activities.

The First Flight Centennial Celebration will begin on Dec. 12, 2003. The six-day festival is designed to commemorate the last century of flight; celebrate the achievements of aviators throughout history; and inspire the next generation of aviators to further the Wright brothers’ dream.

“Our ability to offer world-class entertainers such as Aaron Tippin and The Temptations will bring recognition to our celebration of the achievements of Orville and Wilbur Wright, and hopefully encourage not only aviation enthusiasts but others to join us here in December,” said Mann. “We are proud to offer profound and meaningful historical and educational activities along with fun and entertainment.”

Information about tickets for these and other December centennial events will be available at a later date at http://www.firstflightcentennial.org.

Contact:

Centennial Planning Office
252-441-6291