Harriet Quimby in her Blériot monoplane. Photo: Library of Congress.
From staff reports
A celebration of the historical achievements of Harriet Quimby, known as the Pioneering Woman of Flight and one of Arcadia’s own, will take place during the 42nd annual Arcadia Daze, July 21-23.
A highlight of this year’s festival, hosted by the Arcadia Lions Club, is a presentation and book signing by award-winning journalist and author Don Dahler, who wrote “Fearless: Harriet Quimby A Life Without Limit”, (Princeton Architectural Press, June 26, 2022).
Dahler’s appearance is scheduled for 1 p.m., Saturday, July 22, at the Pleasant Valley Community Center, 3586 Glovers Lake Road.
Born in 1875, Harriet Quimby spent her childhood in Arcadia, was the first American woman to earn a pilot’s license and the first woman to fly solo over the English Channel. This year’s festival will focus on her accomplishments.
Arcadia Daze activities include: arts and crafts, carriage rides, races and relays, specially planned meals, a food truck, beer tent, 5K run, pickleball tournament, fishing tournament for kids, car show, bounce house, balloon artist and live music with the Scottville Clown Band. Special highlights are a fireworks’ display and a Harriet Quimby-themed parade with Grand Marshal Wes Hull, Arcadia’s volunteer fire chief.
The Arcadia Historical Museum will be open for visitors who wish to see the Harriet Quimby exhibit.
A full schedule of events and activities is above and can be found on the Township of Arcadia web page at http://www.townshipofarcadia.org/arcadia-daze.html.
For more information or to purchase advance raffle tickets for $25, email ArcadiaDazeLions@gmail.com. The Arcadia Lions sell tickets each year as a fundraiser for area nonprofits and student scholarships. More than $18,000 was raised last year.
Read “Harriet Quimby: Her writing soars” from our July 19, 2023 edition.
Read “Harriet Quimby: Queen of the Channel Crossing” from our Aug. 19, 2020 edition.
