Harvest festivals, Halloween parties, hay rides, corn mazes, and apple picking are just a few activities available during the Autumn. The change of the weather creates the need to do more before winter arrives and often crops are harvested and communities come together to celebrate. Taking time to enjoy the cool, fall weather, the community activities, and the lasting memories can make childhood seem to last forever. Here are few ideas to get you started on weekend ideas for the coming months.

Tips for Enjoying Autumn

Tip 1: Look at your local newspaper or search online to find events and happenings in your area. These are often published on Thursday to encourage greater attendance. Look for:

• Apple Picking
• Boo at the Zoo
• City Ghost Tours
• Corn Mazes
• Costume Contest
• Dinners and Socials
• Farmers Market Special Events
• Free Church Harvest Festivals
• Haunted Houses
• Hay Rides
• Local Food Festivals
• Music Events
• Parades
• Pumpkin Patch
• School Functions
• Trick-or-Treat at the Children’s Museum

Tip 2: Call in advance to confirm times and if special reservations are required. During the week many operations may close down for public events and only offer group sessions. This may be true for hay rides, corn mazes, haunted houses, and other events where the majority of customers attend on Friday, Saturday or Sunday.

Tip 3: Look for free events to attend. If your family is strapped don’t miss out on the fun of the season. Attending free events can be just as fun and you can meet many new people. Churches, schools, and other community organizations will provide free harvest festivals and socials to encourage people in the community to check out their organization or as a way to fulfill their service goals for the community.

Tip 4: Dress appropriately and remain flexible. Many areas of the country are prone to colder nights and rain during the fall season. Don’t let your evening events get spoiled because you were too cold. You may have to reschedule an event if the weather is to wet for the rides or party to commence.

Tip 5: Have fun! If you have children remind yourself that you can have more fun by watching their delighted faces as they choose the perfect pumpkin, eat a sweet treat, or watch a creative Halloween parade.

Take time to enjoy Autumn with your family and friends. Many communities offer free or inexpensive activities encouraging people to have fun. Winter will be here before you know it and the weather may not be conducive to outdoor fun.

Do you have any tips or suggestions? Feel free to list your local community event below. Please include date, time, location, and cost.

Going out for trick-or-treating is fun for many children and adults. The evening is often filled with tromping around the neighborhood in costume, getting candy and treats from all the neighbors, and going home to over indulge in the sweet delight of the evening’s bounty.  Preparing for many Halloween visitors can be an difficult task if you have not had the experience before. People who live in a cul-de-sac often have more guest than those who live on the end of a street or near a busy intersection. Safety is a concern for many parents and staying in well lit areas with fewer cars is essential to keep children safe and sound. Here are a few tips to make Halloween night a fun event for all and tips to help you prepare for all of the trick-or-treaters.

Preparing for Halloween

Step 1: Light up your house. If you are planning on giving out treats you should have your porch light on. This lets others know you are participating in the holiday. If the weather is nice you may want to plan to sit outside to welcome visitors as they trek around the neighborhood. Adding additional lighting to make a safe and welcome environment for children as darkness falls is also helpful.

Step 2: Have plenty of treats. Candy is typical of what is handed out, but you can also hand out trinkets such as plastic Halloween rings, pencils, cards, money, or stickers. Other items we have received include crackers, pretzels, nuts, raisins, popcorn balls, and Play-Doh. Full size candy bars are fun, but not necessary. You can purchase inexpensive items to hand out from Meijer or Shindigz.

Step 3: Decorate your home and yard. Decorating adds to the excitement of the night. Fake gravestones, scary dummies, and jack-o-lanterns are all perfect for the holiday. Other things you can do to add excitement include building a fake coffin and have a person lay inside of it dressed up as Dracula. As trick-or-treaters come close have the person sit up and scare the children and other unexpected “scary” decorations.

Step 4: Plan to have someone at your home to hand out candy. If you have small children you may not be able to walk a far distance, but if your children are older you may be out longer. Plan to have one of the family members stay home to pass out candy while the other person walks around with the trick-or-treaters. You can also invite grandparents or other relatives to come over to hand out candy at your house while you take your children out.

Step 5: Practice your trick-or-treat route. Starting a week or two before Halloween, start walking around your neighborhood. Determine how far your child can walk and how long it will take. Then you can plan on handing out candy for the first hour and then walking for the second hour on the evening your community host trick-or-treat. This will allow both parents to go trick-or-treating and still hand out candy.

Have fun handing out treats to the little pirates, princesses, and goblins. Providing options can help those who cannot eat certain items such as peanuts to have fun on this evening of ghoulish fun by receiving non edible items.

Happy Halloween!!

Halloween is a multi-billion dollar business with Americans expected to spend close to two billion this year. Candy, costumes, decorations, pumpkins, party accessories, events, and more this children’s holiday has evolved into a grand party where collecting a few pieces of candy is simply not enough. The history of this holiday is often skewed and forgotten, but the basis is routed in traditional harvest celebrations and is closely related to All Hallows Even or the night before the mass-day of saints and All Souls’ Day (November 1 and 2 respectively). The tradition of trick-or-treating has evolved from the poor going from house to house asking for food in return of prayers for the dead to a fun night of mischief for any and all ages to participate in. The following will provide several ideas on homemade costumes that will help keep cost low, but increase creative thinking and ingenuity.

How to Create a Costume for Halloween

One night events for children often cost the most such as prom dresses, homecoming gowns, and for Halloween costumes. Many store bought costumes can range from $10 up to $100 or more depending on the realism of the costume. Costumes can be purchased at such places as Meijer or from online at Shindigz.  To save money you can simple create your own costume using items from home or reduce the cost by combining items you already have with small accessories you buy.

Originally costumes focused on supernatural figures such as monsters, ghost, ghouls, witches, and devils, but have also include fictional characters, Presidents, celebrities, and other well-known or popular icons from the recent past. Many children like to dress up like pirates, princesses, or Ninjas and it may be based on the ease of creating such costumes for little cost. Here are a few costume ideas that take items from around your house or for a small purchase to create a great look.

Simple Costume Ideas

Here are a few ideas to get you thinking about what you have and what you can create for a terrific Halloween Costume:

• Cat or Black Panther
• Pirate
• Scarecrow
• Ninja
• Charlie Brown Dressed as a Ghost
• Princess

The items needed for most of these costumes are simple such as sweat pants and a sweat shirt, old jeans, face paint, material remnants (small pieces of material), scissors, glue, or staples. Taking what you have around the house can help reduce the cost of Halloween, but still allow your child (or you) to enjoy the traditions of such a fun holiday.

Do you have any suggestions for making or creating a cool Halloween costume? What have you planned for this year or what have you made in the past? Feel free to post a comment or suggestion for our readers.

Mickey’s Boo To You! Halloween Parade

Special event ticket purchases are required to attend the Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. The party runs from mid September through the end of October at Disney’s Magic Kingdom. The parade is schedule for two show times most evenings during the event to eliminate the crowds and provide a greater amount of time to enjoy the other attractions and events.

Tip 1: Reserve your spot early. Many people agree the best place to view the parade is in front of Cinderella’s Castle. This will provide access to a great view of the fireworks following the first parade. Make sure if you have small children you reserve a “front row seat” along the parade route. Often other guest will be sitting before the parade and then stand during the parade blocking the view if you are behind them.

NOTE: Clear the street early as the parade is preceded with a ride by the Headless Horseman!

Tip 2: Set your camera on night shot or multi shot to capture all of the action. The parade is a quick moving parade with lots of dancing and fun songs to accompany the floats.

Tip 3: Discuss the scary floats before the parade begins. Although the music is lively and “Not-So-Scary” some of the costumes may seem a bit real for young children. The floats based on the Haunted Mansion may be the scarcest for little ones, so be prepared.

Tip 4: Have your trick-or-treat bag ready to receive candy. The Goofy Candy Co. is the last segment of the parade and treats are handed out to children along the parade route.

Tip 5: Check with a Cast Member to find out if a second parade is scheduled for the night you are attending. The second parade is often less crowded. This allows you and your family to enjoy more of the park, trick-or-treating and then you can end your evening watching the parade. Remember, there is only one fireworks display, so don’t miss the Happy HalloWishes where villains go trick-or-treating in the sky!

The parade is filled with many familiar characters such as Captain Jack Sparrow, Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Peter Pan, Captain Hook, and others.  The floats are often focused on the darker side of Disney with the villains, ghost, and other Halloween related characters being showcased. The parade is specific to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and it is an event you’re not going to want to miss.

Do you have any tips or tricks on attending Mickey’s Boo To You! Halloween Parade? Feel free to make suggestions for our readers or simply share your experiences below.

How to Prepare For Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party

Step 1: The first step if you are not a local in Orlando is to plan your vacation during the special event time frame. Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party usually runs from mid September through the end of October.

Step 2: Once your visit is planned you will need to purchase tickets. Purchasing tickets in advance will save visitors around $6 per ticket. This is $24 for a family of four or equivalent to four “Mickey Ice Cream Bars” in the park.

Step 3: Choose the right costume. Even though the park is only open to guest who have made special event ticket purchases, the rides and attractions are still open for those guest. Choose a costume that will allow you to enjoy the thrills of the Magic Kingdom along with the special event activities.

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Costume Ideas

Many visitors wear Disney themed costumes such as Buzz Lightyear, Tinker Bell, or Minnie Mouse, but it isn’t necessary. Since it is a family oriented event for guest of all ages, Disney request costumes remain in good taste and encourage the avoidance of gory or extra scary costumes. Here are some helpful tips for costume ideas:

Tip 1: Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique (located at Downtown Disney or in Cinderella’s Castle at Magic Kingdom–reservations required) is a great way to dress your little princess up for the big night. This is a salon where little girls are transformed into their favorite princess in a matter of minutes from hair to make-up and can even include a princess dress. Although cost range from $50 up to nearly $200 it may be out of budget for many guest. For an alternative, simply style your daughter’s hair and purchase a princess dress before you arrive. This will save on cost and time prior to the party.

Tip 2: Join the Pirates League! This is a great way to get the whole family involved in the Halloween event. Perfect for boys or girls and men or women the cost per person is around $30. Each individual receives a pirate name, facial effects such as a beard or mustache, bandana, earring and eye patch, sword and sheath, temporary tattoo, pirate coin necklace, removable teeth or bold makeup, nail polish and face gems (items may vary). It is a great way to get into the celebration with very little added cost. An alternative would be to create your own pirate costume prior to your vacation. This attraction is located in Magic Kingdom, so plan accordingly. Reservations are highly recommended.

Tip 3: Purchase a costume from a local store such as Meijer, Kroger, or Halloween Express and wear it to the party. You can also skip the costume if you would rather enjoy the party and rides in normal clothing. Most adults were not in costume, but the majority of children were.

Tip 4: In lieu of a costume, but still in the spirit of Halloween, some guest choose to get their faces painted. The cost in the parks is around $15 and it minimizes the need to pack costumes or accessories if you are flying to Walt Disney World. If this is your choice, make sure to buy a Park Hopper Pass for your stay and visit Animal Kingdom (Dino Land) or Epcot (World Showcase/Trading Post/Africa) to have your face painted.

NOTE: Currently Magic Kingdom does not offer face painting on the premises while Toon Town is under construction (reopening in 2012). The makeup used for the face painting is professional costume makeup and is non-irritating. After the makeup dries it will stay on your face for days if you let it. It can be washed off with water and a little rubbing so be careful if you decide to take on Splash Mountain! In previous years free face painting was offered in the Magic Kingdom during the event. This may return once Toon Town is reopened.

Step 4: Arrive early. If the event begins at 7 pm make sure to arrive at Magic Kingdom before 6 pm. This will give your family ample time to get adjusted to the park, get a trick-or-treat bag, and locate all of the Goofy Candy Co. spots. Other guest will be leaving the park if they did not purchase special event tickets. This makes for a crowded entry way upon your arrival. Arriving early will also allow you to get a Quick Service meal for dinner, grab a front row seat for the Mickey’s “Boo-to-You” Halloween Parade, or ride a few times on Space Mountain.

NOTE: A wrist band is provided to guest who have purchased special event tickets. This allows guest to ride the rides, collect treats, and take photos at Character greetings. Without a wrist band you can watch the parade and fireworks, but won’t be able to purchase or do anything else in the park.

Step 5: Pick a few candy spots to hit. If you wait to hit the spots later on you will receive more candy, but don’t wait too late because they do stop handing out candy around 9 pm. One of the best places to collect candy is near Splash Mountain. When you enter Magic Kingdom head to Frontier Land (left of the castle) and begin collecting candy in the back of the park. You can avoid many of the lines with this approach.

Step 6: Ride rides, watch shows, meet-and-great with your favorite characters, and watch the Happy HalloWishes fireworks display while snacking on your Halloween Candy.

Step 7: If you are enjoying the event with your little ones, you may want to make your way to the transportation about an hour early. Since the event closes at midnight, many guest may want to make their way to an extended hours park, Downtown Disney, or back to their resort. This will create a backlog at the bus and tram stations. Avoid the crowd by getting to the stop early and catching the first or second bus departing.

Attending special events while visiting the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida can create lasting memories. The Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is a great addition to any WDW vacation.

What are your favorite Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party memories? Feel free to share your thoughts and recommendations about attending this special event.

Starting school in a new environment is always a challenge. Most students attend school in the traditional way of physically going to a location, sitting in a classroom, and being taught by the instructor. With the advancements in technology the way people attend school is rapidly changing. Online programs are growing in popularity and many students prefer the format over traditional attendance. The following will provide a few tips on organizing information to manage an online degree program.

Get Organized to Succeed

Regular classes provide structure with regular class attendance, written assignments, and deadlines. An online program remains flexible while offering many of the same opportunities to have a structured program. At the start of an online program at the University of Phoenix, each student is provided a Course Syllabus, Instructor Policies, and often a Course Calendar.  Review of this material will provide a basic outline of expected assignments and time commitments.

Step 1: Build a folder on your computer for each course you are taking. Name the folder either by course name such as “Organizational Design” or by the Course number HRM/530. This will allow you to return to the course material as needed in future courses.

Step 2: In the folder build 7 additional folders for a 6 week course. Label each folder as Week 1, Week 2, Week 3… The seventh folder will be for your “Class Materials” such as your syllabus, rubric, e-books, etc.

NOTE: Working from a new folder each week will help you keep track of what is due, where you are saving your current project, and the chapters from the e-books as well as any other electronic articles you may download from your research.

Step 3: As you begin taking your online course use the folder you have created to store your information and assignments. Typically online programs focus on writing papers, reading, and research. Depending on the program you may also be required to take online exams. The folders will keep your information organized for easy access while studying or writing.

Step 4: Keep your folders for future reference. Throughout your degree program you may need to reference a paper you previously wrote, or you can access e-books and other information easily if it is stored in an organized way.

Schedule in School Daily

Step 5: Create a personal schedule for when you will look at the class forum, complete discussion questions (DQs), and work on weekly assignments. In an online program students are more independent and therefore need to have self-discipline to succeed. Take a few minutes each morning before work to view the classroom forum. Get an idea of how much time you will need and then plan ahead to schedule time during your lunch break or after work to accomplish the assignments.

NOTE: Keeping track of reoccurring events such as DQs and weekly assignments on a calendar populated with the information can help students to complete task on time. Each week students can view the calendar and know they have a DQ due Wednesday and Friday and the main assignment is due on Monday.

Remain Involved

Step 6: Stay involved with the class. “Out of sight, out of mind” can easily happen if daily life interferes with online school attendance. Work to check the classroom forum daily and no less than four times a week to stay involved with the class.

Step 7: Accomplish the small things. Many of the points are awarded for small assignments such as completion of the DQs, classroom discussion, or small assignments due weekly. Don’t let something slide just because it is only worth one or two points. Just like with money, those small points add up and can make the difference from a B+ to an A. You will be kicking  yourself at the end of the course if you miss the desired grade by one point.

Be Responsible and Ask Questions

Step 8: Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Although much of the learning in the online program is self initiated through reading of course materials and research, the instructor is there to guide you and to answer questions you may have. Use the forum to ask questions, but remember it is your responsibility to read the course material such as e-books and articles to gain a better understanding of the topics.

Step 9: Work harder when a team is relying on you to do your part. Nothing is worse than having a team member who doesn’t communicate well, turns in assignments late, or doesn’t hold up their end of the deal. Other students take note of this and it may hurt you later on in your career.

Step 10: Set goals and stay committed. It is easier to fall out of touch with classmates and staying in school is more difficult when a student is completing an online degree program. Talk to others about what you are doing so they can help support you and understand why you are not spending time socializing as often. Staying committed to your career and education goals will help you to succeed in an online degree program.

Starting a degree program is a daunting task. It takes time and commitment to succeed and achieve a diploma. Set your goals before you begin school and discipline yourself to complete each task. Get organized, stay in touch, and stay focused to manage your online program. Doing so will create a standard for performance leading to success.

Do you have any suggestions for completing or managing an online degree program? What was the biggest problem or challenged you faced during our program? Feel free to share your thoughts on online degree programs with our readers.

Bounce U

Bounce U is an inflatable party place sure to create lasting memories. Children and parents can go wild bouncing and playing a private party setting that is safe and secure. Children of all ages are encouraged and fun is almost guaranteed.

Parties

Bounce U can be reserved in advance for birthday parties, religious celebrations, Kindergarten graduations, holiday parties such as Halloween, and much more. Party package size vary and can be requested weeks in advance. Clean up and hosting are provided by professional employees of Bounce U allowing you time to enjoy the special moments with your child.

Open Bounce

Bounce U locations sponsor open bounce during specific hours and even have drop off hours to allow parents time for shopping around the holidays such as Christmas. A secure location with plenty of fun and exercise will leave your child tired and hungry. Check with your local Bounce U for special open bounce hours.

Food

If you are hosting a party at home you have to worry about food preparation, clean up, and the safety of all your guest. While this may be easy in some cases, it is time consuming for others. A Bounce U party allows the parents time to enjoy their children during the party and even get a chance to play on the large inflatable’s! Go ahead, you know you want to!

During your party planning you can arrange for pizza, pasta, drinks, cake and other types of food offered by Bounce U. Sorry, no outside food or beverages are allowed to be brought in to most Bounce U locations. Talk with your party planner for pricing and details.

Gifts and Thank You Treats

The gifts are collected at the beginning of the party as friends arrive at Bounce U. The gifts are placed in a special cart and transported to your private party room for safe keeping. During the party the professional host document all of the gifts and who they came from. This makes the job of sending out Thank You notes even easier for you and your child. During the party planning you can opt to purchase Thank You gift bags and toys to provide your guest with a lasting memory of the party. This is a great way to teach your child how to thank his guest as they leave the party.

Planning a party, setting up, and food preparation can detract from the fun. Using Bounce U as a party entertainment provides lasting memories, fun, and excitement for your child.

Do you have any questions or considerations about hosting a party at Bounce U? Feel free to comment below.

The United States Department of Labor says “Labor Day…is a creation of the labor movement…[and] constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country,” (DOL History of Labor Day, 2011)  Many cities throw parties and celebrations for people along with private parties by local citizens. Federal employees are given the first Monday in September off as Labor Day and many private business, doctors, and dentist also close allowing employees time to celebrate and enjoy.

For many, Labor Day is the unofficial end to summer. Children are back in school, local outdoor pools close, and other recreational activities are ended. Getting together with friends, family members, and coworkers is a great way of enjoying the weekend. The following will provide a great idea if you are visiting Cincinnati, Ohio over the Labor Day weekend.

Labor Day in Cincinnati

One of the largest firework displays in the Midwest happens along the banks of the Ohio River between Cincinnati, Ohio and Newport, Kentucky on Sunday before Labor Day Monday. For over 30 years WEBN has teamed up with Rozzi’s Famous Fireworks, other sponsors such as Cincinnati Bell and Toyota, and the cities along the banks of the river to produce a free display topping off a day long party at Sawyer Point in Cincinnati, Ohio called Riverfest. The party starts at 12 noon on Sunday before Labor Day and the fireworks are scheduled for 9:05 pm. Rozzi’s shoots fabulous fireworks from barges on the river and from the bridges connecting Ohio and Kentucky.

Tips on Attending Riverfest and the WEBN Fireworks

Tip 1: Plan for the banks of the river to be crowded. The event draws at least a half a million people on each side of the river. This means lots of people and lots of traffic.

Tip 2: Arrive early. Arriving early will help eliminate problems with traffic, finding a parking place, and help to avoid any road closures/rerouting that occurs to control traffic during the event.

Tip 3: Have a meeting place if your group becomes separated. Cell phones are often unable to work because the network is busy. With a million people in one location this is bound to happen.

Tip 4: Bring things to do: cards, Frisbees, and other games. This will help the day go by more quickly.

Tip 5: Bring a radio. WEBN, the local radio station that sponsors the show, plays a coordinated musical accompaniment as the fireworks go off. The more radios in the crowd the better.

Tip 6: Leave your alcoholic beverages at home. Both sides of the river are alcohol free events to support a family atmosphere. You may be escorted off the banks of the river or sited for public intoxication if you are caught drinking.

Tip 7: Have everything you need with you by about 3 pm. Access to your vehicle may be cut off based on closures of certain access points to the river banks until after the show. This helps to maintain the flow of people.

Tip 8: Be prepared to leave late. Everyone tries to rush out to beat the crowd, but if you have small children or older adults it may be best to take your time to get to your vehicle. You can avoid wasting gas while sitting in traffic by letting the crowd clear before you make your attempt. Drive safe.

Tip 9: Carry an umbrella if you are sitting on the riverbank all day. This can help with the heat of the sun or protect you in the event of a summer rain.

Tip 10: Finally, have fun. People break rules, a few may act obnoxious, but for the most part people attend the event with happy intentions. Don’t cause trouble by moving someone’s tarp or blanket and be respectful of others around you.

What to Expect

Various food venders, live entertainment, and novelty booths are set up for people similar to a large festival. Skyline Chili, Papa John’s pizza, BBQ, Coca-Cola and Pepsi booths, funnel cakes, shaved ice, and more are available for purchase on both sides of the river. Commemorative t-shirts are for sale along with Mardi-Gras beads, face painting, and night time novelties such as glow sticks.
Expect a friendly atmosphere where people have come to enjoy the last big weekend of the summer. Many people there consider it a tradition and attend the fireworks annually. Families and friends gather together to party all day.

Attending the P&G Riverfest (Cincinnati side) or the Party at Newport (Kentucky side) are both exciting and fun. There is no smoking on the Serpentine Wall in Cincinnati and as mentioned, no alcohol is permitted on either side of the river. Plan to spend the day in Cincinnati or Newport and enjoy one of the most memorable fireworks displays you can witness.

What are your favorite memories of the WEBN fireworks? Do you have any attendance tips for someone visiting from out of town or attending for the first time? Feel free to make comments below.

The Jet World Masters is a global competition held every two years in various countries around the world. In 2011, the location is the National Museum of the United States Air Force. This is the first time the event has been held in the U.S. and most likely the only time based on cost for visiting countries. Typically nearly 200 countries participate in the event and this year about 100 countries were unable to attend based on cost of the two week event. The event runs from July 24th through August 6th.

What is the Jet World Masters?

The Jet World Masters is an “extraordinary event bringing the best military and civilian turbine powered aircraft together to compete for the title of the Jet World Master.” (9th Jet World Masters, 2011). The jets are each modeled after a real aircraft with precision details, decals, interior, and landing gear. The jets must run off of kerosene or jet fuel.

Cost of the Event

While in the U.S. on federally operated land, the event is free for spectators. Parking and viewing are free while booths provide opportunities to learn about the RC jets and other aspects of the Jet World Masters. All types of radio control enthusiasts, modelers, and a variety of vendors are attending the event. Attendance cost may differ in other countries in subsequent years.

What to Bring

Based on the weather in Dayton, Ohio it is a good idea to bring a shade umbrella, bottles of water, and a comfortable chair. Not deemed a spectator event, limited seating is available in bleachers. The event is a competition and is rather slow moving, but never the less highly entertaining.

What the Model Jets can Do

Each jet is sent through a static display competition and an aerial competition where physical details and likeness to the actual aircraft are scrutinized, pilot capability for maneuverability and realism are judged, and overall quality of the aircraft and flying skills are taken into account.

Performance Factors

Each jet is modeled after a real aircraft such as an F-16, SR-71, or a MIG and is expected to perform the same types of “tricks” as the real aircraft. Take off, landing, approach, aileron roles, fly byes, sharp turns, and other stunts are performed by the pilots as they watch the jets overhead.

Many of the jets can fly well over 100 miles an hour with many flying as fast as 200 miles an hour. With a 5500 foot ceiling the jets fly nearly out of sight as they scream upwards and then return to sight before your eyes.

Starting cost for a basic shell and engine was report to be around $3800 with the mini turbine engine being the majority of the cost. Many of the aircraft on display and in the competition cost a great deal more and can exceed $50,000 with countless man hours of work to recreate realistic details, expert handling, and safe flying.

Prize for the Jet World Masters

Believe it or not, the prize is a trophy and bragging rights. There isn’t a purse to be won and the major thing the winner can look forward to is bringing the trophy to the next competition and display it proudly for all other countries to see. The winner is considered the best in the world.

Best Time to Attend

Each day of the event brings different pilots and aircraft to center stage starting at 9 in the morning. From 12 noon through 1:30 p.m. the Priority Flying takes place. This is where you would have the best odds of seeing some of the better aircraft such as the SR-71 flying. In the evening hours there is Open Jet Flying when the competition flying is finished for the day.

Next Event

The next Jet World Masters event will be held in Switzerland. The event in the U.S. may be a once in a lifetime opportunity to attend unless you are involved with the program, visiting another country, or living in another country when the event occurs. Take the time to come out and see these extraordinary jets at the National Museum of the United States Air Force (1100 Spaatz Street, Wright-Patterson AFB OH 45433).

What are your thoughts on the Jet World Masters? Did you get an opportunity to attend? Feel free to share questions or comments below.

Disney Pixar Cars Collection

Each band comes in four different colors. The colors for this pack include orange, green, blue, and red. The pack includes five shapes of characters in the first movie. The following provides a description for each of the five characters.

McQueen

It is only fitting the lead character of the popular movie Cars has his own Character Bandz. Lighting McQueen is the easiest and most familiar shape to identify. The shape is a side view of the car and is in the racing car shape of Lighting McQueen.

Wingo

Wingo is part of the crew of cars that serenades Mac to sleep on the highway. It is the green car in the movie with the tall spoiler on the rear of the car. The shape of this Character Bandz is easy to recognize because of the tall rear spoiler.

Snot Rod

Snot Rod has the car engine raised out of the hood of the car. This makes an unusual shape for a Silly Bandz, but once you realize what you are looking at you can see the car in the shape.

Boost

Boost is a gray and purple car in the move with a wide spoiler on the rear of the car. The Silly Bandz looks as though Boost has a jet engine mounted to the rear of the car.

D.J.

D.J. is the blue boxy car in the movie. This is an easier Silly Bandz to recognize because it is shorter than the rest of the Disney Cars Character Bandz.

The best way to collect Silly Bandz is to buy the ones you like, keeping the colors you like, and trading away the leftovers. Do you have any suggestions for Silly Bandz collecting? Which one is your favorite?