The highly anticipated Prairie Flyers: A Century of Aviation in DeWitt County opened to the public Saturday with a grand opening celebration. 

Director Joey Long indicates the day kicked off with the launching of two hot air balloons very early in the morning Saturday and then it was off to highlight a first-class, top-notch history of aviators of all types in DeWitt County.

Bob Ballenger is among the individuals who are highlighted in the exhibit in the carriage barn at the DeWitt County Museum. While it makes him feel dated, he says it is cool to be a part of such a special project locally.

John Warner helped bring the exhibit to life with not only the idea but seeing it to fruition and says there are some remarkable stories to be told and the exhibit does just that.

A number of special events will go along with the exhibit that runs until July 3. Edith Brady-Lunny says there are lots of activities happening weekly at the Museum in addition to the series of special speakers that will present at Clinton's Warner Library.

Logan Redman, a Museum Board member, is looking forward to the presentations at Warner Library because you'll be able to hear from the men and women that are featured in the exhibit.

If you're interested in getting more in-depth details about the stories that are on display at the museum, there is a special catalog that accompanies the exhibit. Brady-Lunny says there are about thirty additional individual stories that enhance what is on display.

Long thanks all the financial supporters of the exhibit as well as those that contributed artifacts and the many aviators that shared their stories and made the presentation possible.

Admission to 'Prairie Flyers: A Century of Aviation in DeWitt County' is separate from that of the museum and it is open during regular museum hours. You can find out more about both the museum and the special exhibit by finding searching 'Prairie Flyers: A Century of Aviation in DeWitt County' on Facebook.