Cable Airport celebrates its 70^th anniversary this year and there’s no better way to join in the celebration than during the 40^th annual Cable Air Faire this upcoming weekend.

On Saturday, January 10 and Sunday, January 11, the largest family owned and operated public use airport invites fellow pilots and aviation enthusiasts to be transported to 1945 as Cable Air Faire 2015 recreates the bygone era, showcasing “old time” antique planes and cars from post World War II.

Skydiving teams, Dr. D’s Old-Time Aerobatics, Flying Colors and Unusual Altitudes are just a few of the performers featured during this year’s event. There will also be airplane ride opportunities as well as hands-on experiences for the kids.

“The Southern California home front during World War II supported the war effort in many ways, including a wide range of volunteer efforts and submitting to government-managed rationing and price controls. Everyone agreed that the sacrifices were for the national good “for the duration.” The labor market changed radically. Peacetime conflicts with respect to race and labor took on a special dimension because of the pressure for national unity. The Hollywood film industry was important for propaganda. Every aspect of life from politics to personal savings changed when put on a wartime footing,” Cable Airport president Bob Cable recollects in a letter submitted to the COURIER.

“Millions of students, retirees, housewives, and unemployed moved into the active labor force. Hours worked increased as leisure activities declined sharply. Most families were allocated only 3 gallons of gasoline a week, which sharply curtailed driving for any purpose. Production of most durable goods, like cars, new housing, vacuum cleaners, and kitchen appliances, was banned until the war ended. Meat, clothing, and gasoline were tightly rationed. In industrial areas housing was in short supply as people doubled up and lived in cramped quarters. Prices and wages were controlled. Americans saved a high portion of their incomes, which led to renewed growth after the war.”

“During this this time, Dewey and Maude Cable moved to Southern California from Iowa to be farmers. Dewey’s brother, John, was a pilot. He was considered a barnstormer and he flew Air Mail for the Postal Service and he was a test pilot for Douglas Aircraft,” adds Mr. Cable. “John got Dewey up in the air in the ‘30s and that’s all it took. Dewey fell in love with aviation. And so did Maude. A few years later, 1945 to be exact, Dewey carved out a couple of runways on some open land in what is now known as Upland. The rest is history.”

Cable Air Faire 2015 will be open from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., both Saturday and Sunday. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children 5-12, cash only. Kids under 5 and parking are free.

An ATM machine will be on site for those in need.

Cable Airport is located at 1749 W. 13th Street, just north on Foothill Boulevard off Benson Avenue, in Upland. For more information, visit their website at www.cableairport.com or call 909-982-6021.

—Angela Bailey

news@claremont-courier.com