BENTON, Pa. — The Benton Airport in Columbia County draws planes of all kinds for its fly-in events.
"On a nice day, we'll get 100 planes or more, and we usually serve 600 people, but this year, I think we'll serve closer to 1,000," said Bob Brewington, Benton Airport Association President.
That jump in attendance for this fly-in is because it's dedicated to honoring the life of Ted Farwell, an avid flyer.
Farwell was killed back in August after the crop-spraying helicopter he was flying crashed in Mifflin Township.
His mother, Pam Farwell, tells Newswatch 16 that the love of flying runs deep in the family, as Ted grew up watching his father spray the crops, "That was always going on, Ted was number five of our six children, so Rick was spraying all that time, and Ted saw that when he was growing up and always wanted to fly."
"It was a terrible thing, and we think about it all the time. The family is very close-knit, and they are taking it all in stride, but it's terrible," said Brewington.
For people like Bob Brewington, president of the Benton Airport Association, Ted was a good friend.
Brewington showed Newswatch 16 this plane Ted helped paint.
Ted's family says even though he didn't fly out of the Benton Airport often, his impact soars through the community.
"It means a lot, we had a lot of support for his service and for his calling hours and for our family, and this is a community event that has turned into a great event for him as well," said Pam.
Proceeds from the benefit will help support Farwell's wife and four children.
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