The life of American aviatrix Elizabeth "Bessie" Coleman will be vividly portrayed as part of Shooting the West's keynote evening.
Educator and historial re-enactor Juanita Westbrook will take the stage at the Winnemucca Convention Center at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, March 7, immediately following remarks from Winnemucca Mayor Di An Putnam, to portray Coleman in a Chautauqua performance.
Coleman, born in 1892 in Texas, was the first black female pilot and the first black person to hold an international pilot license. Coleman specialized in stunt flying and parachuting, earning a living barnstorming and performing aerial tricks. She remains a pioneer of women in the field of aviation.
Also as part of Shooting the West, the Winnemucca Municipal Airport will host a combination open house and static display on Sunday from 8 a.m. until dark.
Dubbed "a day of props and photo ops," the event is open to both STW participants and the public. The Civil Air Patrol will have their facilities open for tours as well as its plane on display for photos.
The BLM will have its dispatch center and fire facility open for tours, the Humboldt General Hospital's EMS crew will be on hand, not to mention that there will be private planes and classic cars on display to photograph.
Food vendors from the community will also be there. This event is open to the public.[[In-content Ad]]
