11:07am Reporting by Don Jergler | A series of events celebrating 100 years since Calbraith “Cal” Perry Rodgers’ flew from Sheespshead Bay, New York to Long Beach begins on Saturday, Sept. 17.
Author E.P. Stein is scheduled for Boeing Theater, at 4000 N. Lakewood Blvd. in Long Beach,) with a discussion and book signing. His book, “Flight of the Vin Fiz,” chronicles Rodgers cross-country flight, which lasted 84 days and covered 4,231 miles.
The events runs through December and include a hangar dance and dinner; a showing – and appearance by the filmmaker of “Breaking Through the Clouds,” a documentary by Heather Taylor about the 1929 Women’s Air Derby; and a dedication of a replica of Roger’s plane and plaque honoring the transcontinental flight and the history of aviation in Long Beach.
Raffle tickets will be sold for $10 each or six for $50 for a chance to win two free tickets from JetBlue. Proceeds go to the Long Beach Rosie the Riveter Foundation to pay for a one-third scale replica of Roger’s craft, the “Vin Fiz,” named after the flight’s sponsor, to be placed at the entrance to the Long Beach Arena.
Visit www.VinFizLongBeach.com to purchase tickets for the kick-off event. Cost is $25; students are $10. For more information on the celebration call (562) 570-6932 or visit www.VinFizLongBeach.com.