JUST A NICE EVENT!
Steve with friend and actor Lee Majors, May, 1979sharing a beer at The Santa Paula Airport.
Steve McQueen's last hometown is paying tribute to its most famous resident with a weekend of aviation and family-related activities. The Aviation Museum of Santa Paula will welcome home Barbara McQueen with a VIP reception, dinner and booksigning on Saturday, December 6 at the Santa Paula Airport. The 5 p.m. reception will include a catered dinner, slide show and booksigning for Steve McQueen: The Last Mile. “Santa Paula was the beginning and end of Steve McQueen's aviation roots, and we realized the airport had never recognized him before. Steve used to say, 'Santa Paula Airport is my kinda country club,'” said Mike Dewey, a museum board member who has a long history with the privately owned airport. “We also felt this was a good opportunity to promote our new 3,000-square foot museum headquarters.” This is Barbara McQueen's first trip back to Santa Paula since her late husband's 1980 death.
Steve McQueen's last hometown is paying tribute to its most famous resident with a weekend of aviation and family-related activities. The Aviation Museum of Santa Paula will welcome home Barbara McQueen with a VIP reception, dinner and booksigning on Saturday, December 6 at the Santa Paula Airport. The 5 p.m. reception will include a catered dinner, slide show and booksigning for Steve McQueen: The Last Mile. “Santa Paula was the beginning and end of Steve McQueen's aviation roots, and we realized the airport had never recognized him before. Steve used to say, 'Santa Paula Airport is my kinda country club,'” said Mike Dewey, a museum board member who has a long history with the privately owned airport. “We also felt this was a good opportunity to promote our new 3,000-square foot museum headquarters.” This is Barbara McQueen's first trip back to Santa Paula since her late husband's 1980 death.
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“Santa Paula was Steve's church and he really loved the city with all of his heart and soul. He was treated like a normal person there where he could relax and be himself, hang out with friends and fly his planes,” McQueen said. “I'm really looking forward to coming back because it was a big part of my life. It'll be good to renew some of those old ties and make new friendships.”
“Santa Paula was Steve's church and he really loved the city with all of his heart and soul. He was treated like a normal person there where he could relax and be himself, hang out with friends and fly his planes,” McQueen said. “I'm really looking forward to coming back because it was a big part of my life. It'll be good to renew some of those old ties and make new friendships.”
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The tax-deductible dinner is $50 with proceeds benefiting The Aviation Museum of Santa Paula. Seating, however, is limited and attendees are asked to RSVP by December 1, 2008. Please call (805) 525-1109 or e-mail mcqueenevent@amszp.org to RSVP. The Santa Paula Airport will salute the life of Steve McQueen on its “First Sunday Open House,” on December 7. Privately owned hangars open their doors to unveil a variety of vintage aircraft, cars, and memorabilia, which are on display for the public from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Several other aircraft owners will put their antique aircraft on static display and many vintage aircraft also fly in each month. Car and motorcycle clubs will also display their machines on the airport's taxiways and the Museum Tram will provide travel between hangars. The Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 723 offers free airplane rides to kids ages 7-17. Barbara McQueen will also sign copies of Steve McQueen: The Last Mile at the five-hour extravaganza. Steve McQueen: The Last Mile is a photo book that captures wonderful and unique images that the very private actor allowed to no one else. Barbara soon discovered that the screen legend she had idolized since a kid was a determined individualist who loved vintage planes, motorcycles and cars and admired the men who flew and drove them above all others.
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Have a Nice Weekend!
posted by Michael Manning @ 7:04 PM
14 comments
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14 Comments:
I think you would like to see the stunning air shows that are held at Duxford Airfield near where I live. There is a stunning American hangar. My favourite plane in the museum is the Blackbird, the first stealth bomber built after the war.
They don't make 'em like that anymore.
{{{{ Michael}}}} Hugs xo
I never really got into Steve. Not that I dislike him or anything. I should watch a few more of his. I'm really delighted you're taking sch good care of yourself, Michael.
Hey, Elle: That sounds cool! I've never beenmuch into military or experimental aircraft, but the Blackhawk WAS impressive. I was able to see her close-up at the Smithsonian in Washington with a bus load of my Pan Am friends in 2005 and it was awesome! :)
Nat: I'd also like to think they don't make em like ME anymore either! :-D)
HEIDI! lol! And good to hear from you! :D)
Bud: You are an inspiration with biking, kayaking, and Yoga! My size 31 waist jeans are clean, folded and ready to wear in my closet. If you check out the "Bullitt" CD from the library, you will get a second DVD that has "The Essence of Cool"--a short documentary on Steve filmed 3 years ago with Suzanne Pleshette, Robert Culp, Don Gordon, Norman Jewison, Harold Mirisch, Neile Adams Toffel, Chad McQueen, Robert Vaughan, Eli Wallach and Barbara McQueen. It's a very nicely done retrospective that I feel showed all sides of McQueen. Some humor too! :)
I am watching Nevada Smith right now.
Its event like this and his movies that will keep him alive for ever.
He was a daredevil wasn't he and he did his own stunts
1979 was a great year. ^_^
Thank you for stopping by, "Michael" hee hee
Walker: Yeah, he liked to walk that fine line of danger to see if he might fall off. He was a complicated man. He did do some stunts. But the most dangerous ones were usually handled by stunt doubles who worked loyally with Steve for many years and became friends. His approach to life as a "bad ass" changed dramatically during the last 3.5 years that he was alive. But that's another story that would blow your mind. He is still "The King of Cool". BTW: Suzanne looked good in that film, didn't she? ;)
Marj: I think I've just been "zapped"! :D)
Hi Michael- I think Santa Paula sounds like a fascinating place!
Lisa: Yeah, me too. And from all I have studied on Steve McQueen, it was there where he found real Peace in his short life. He was happy there. :)
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