Grand Opening is set for Saturday

Grand Opening is set for Saturday

If you drop by Augusta Regional Airport on Saturday, you can enjoy music, an art show, free food, a massage, meet your favorite politician – and maybe even win round-trip plane tickets.

It’s all part of the grand opening for the site’s new, $30 million terminal, completed after three years of construction accomplished while the airport remained in operation.

“The celebration should have something for everyone,” said marketing director Diane Johnston. “We want people to come out and see what’s been done.”

In addition to parachute jumpers who will drop to earth unfurling the American flag, opening ceremonies will include remarks by Mayor Deke Copenhaver, Aviation Commission Chairman Cedric Johnson, U.S. Rep. John Barrow and U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss.

“We also have several food vendors who will be out there all day,” Ms. Johnston said. T’s Seafood is bringing the hush puppies, Coca-Cola is bringing beverages and Dunkin’ Donuts is bringing coffee and pastries, she said. Sunrise Bakery & Grill, Kellogg’s and Pet Dairy are also bringing food. If that isn’t enough, local grillmasters will be giving away burgers and hot dogs.

The art show inside the new terminal will include a 3:30 p.m. awards program for an art contest among students in Richmond, Columbia, Burke, Aiken and Edgefield counties. Winners will receive laptop computers and iPods.

Music will include performances by the Garden City Chorus and the Fort Gordon Band, and 11 musicians will be set up to play selections inside the new terminal, she said.

Augusta School of Massage will offer “chair massages,” and rental car companies, restaurants and other vendors will be giving away prizes and gift coupons all day.

The main prize, awarded by drawing, is a gift certificate for two round-trip airline tickets to anywhere in the continental United States.

“We think it’ll be lots of fun,” Ms. Johnston said.

WHAT: Grand Opening, Augusta Regional Airport Terminal
WHEN: 1-5 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: Doug Barnard Parkway
EVENTS: Food, music, art show, paratroopers, giveaways

Rob Pavey/Staff Writer
The Augusta Chronicle