Church Holds Air-Show

Normally church ends with handshakes, hugs and friendly conversation, but Sunday one community wrapped up their services with airplanes, a stunt pilot and a helicopter.

When church ends, you usually don't see a preacher hop into an airplane, but this pastor brought his hobby to work Sunday morning.

Pastor Dave Klawiter said, “Most people, whatever their passion is, kind of enters into whatever their vocation is."

Pastor Dave Klawiter has flown for almost 20 years. He leads this annual air show at the Springdale Lutheran country church.

Klawiter says, "The folks at Springdale kind of look forward to it. They know that the pastor really loves the fly-in, but they love it too."

By the looks on their faces, you can see the congregation agrees. Seven airplanes flew in, a stunt pilot performed fly-bys, and it's good thing you're not supposed to wear hats to church because this Sioux Valley helicopter would've blown the hat right off your head.

A church member, Dean Minter, said, "Just a little different approach then most churches. We don't play Bingo here."

And today they don't even have to play by the rules of the roads. Lincoln County closed down this county road to give the pilots a place to land.

Pastor Dave says he uses his love for flying not only to add excitement into his life, but to help him in his line of work.

He said, “In the summer, our attendance drops off a little bit, so it's nice to have a few events that kind of bring folks in and we have a great time."

This is the 27th year the church held an air show. A few years the weather cancelled the event. Parachuters were also planning to make a landing today, but because of the weather, they decided not to jump.