Join Cincinnati Museum Center for its annual 1940s Day celebration on Aug. 13! This is one of the Museum’s most popular events — and due to the renovations at Union Terminal, this year will be held at Cincinnati’s Lunken Airport. With its iconic buildings and retro flair, Lunken Airport is the perfect location for this beloved event. 1940s Day at Lunken Airport promises to be a family friendly day of dancing, fashion, cars, planes and interactive fun for all ages!
A full schedule of events can be found online. Here are some highlights:
Dance the Day Away
Cut a rug and dance the afternoon away to the sounds of the 40s. Featuring toe-tapping music from the Jump N’ Jive Big Band, Cincy Hop (formerly the Cincy Lindy Exchange) and Daniel Bennett and the Dirty Shirleys. Swoon over the sounds of the Sweet & Lows, the ukulele-playing Sugar Pills and The Boyer Sisters. Grab your dancing shoes and jump, jive and wail with the Flying Cloud Academy of Vintage Dance as they keep everyone moving to the festive music.
Dapper Duds
Ready to embrace the style of the 1940s from head-to-toe? Show off your personal vintage style in our costume contest! If you’re a Dapper Dorothy, you’ll love the A-line dresses, military-inspired suits, peep-toe pumps, victory-rolled hair and bold red lipstick. Are you a Dapper Dan? Show off your best zoot suits, suspenders, crazy ties, lace up oxfords and fedoras. Don’t have the right threads at home? Talk of the Town and Gayle’s Vintage Clothing will be on hand all day to help you dress to the nines.
Transportation Nation
Get up close and personal with classic cars and airplanes from the 1940s and more. Grab your aviator shades to shield you from the striking chrome of the Classic Car Show from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Experience the bold curves and sharp lines of vintage automobiles, both civilian and military, from the 1920s, 30s and 40s. What better place to discover the history of aircraft than Lunken Field? Prepare for take-off and earn your wings as you come face-to-face with 1930s and 1940s planes, including the popular Aeronca Aircraft built locally.
Holocaust Survivor and WWII Veterans Highlight Lecture Series
The Center for Holocaust and Humanity Education is presenting a special opportunity to hear firsthand the accounts of a local Holocaust survivor. Experience the strength and resiliency of a survivor of one of history’s darkest hours. The Veterans Memorial Museum of Germantown will moderate a Q&A panel with World War II veterans ready to answer your questions about life on the front lines. Author Kathleen Cox will share stories from her mother who, at 27-years-old, left her job as a college teacher to join the American Red Cross, ultimately traveling 1,500 miles across North Africa and Italy.
Vintage Vendors
Grab some grub and take home a piece of the 1940s by visiting a variety of vendors. Discover the fashions of the 40s with Talk of the Town and Gayle’s Vintage Clothing. Meet with members of AK3Q, a group of hobbyists that know a lot about amateur radio, and take part in hands-on demonstrations. Discuss the history of WWII aviation equipment with Alejandro Villalva of the Veterans Memorial Museum. Interact with the Center for Holocaust and Humanity Education, the Butler County Warbirds, Patriot Pin Ups and other great partners before you leave.
View this video to get in the ’40s spirit:
Admission is free for Museum members and WWII veterans. Non-member admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children. Parking is $5/vehicle. For more information, or to purchase tickets online, visit the Museum Center’s website.