A bronze statue of Amelia Earhart and a peaceful gazebo are at the center of the Forest. For a gallery of photographs taken during the festival click here.

I attended the Amelia Earhart Festival in 2004, 2006 and again this year. Although each year the agenda of special events changes, the organizers never fail to include one of the world’s most spectacular fireworks displays which is viewed by many who sit on the banks of the Missouri River across from Amelia’s former home. Among those who enjoy the street fair, local shops, the Forest of Friendship and museum are vacationing tourists as well as Earhart and Putnam family members and more than a few aviators who hold world-records.

During 2004 and 2006 the weather was typical of Kansas – hot and sticky. This year the Chamber of Commerce was rewarded by the weatherman with moderate temperatures and low humidity. All in attendance were wowed by the various activities but the star of the show remained the comfortable WEATHER.

The Pioneering Achievement Award of $10,000 is annually donated by the Cloud L. Cray Foundation during the Amelia Earhart Festival. The funds are given to a woman of accomplishment in aviation, which she is expected to spend on her favorite charity or organization that furthers the career and projects of other women. This year’s recipient was Major Nicole M. Malachowski, USAF.

During each festival the Chamber of Commerce has attempted to introduce scholarly workshops and forums to stimulate excitement and add to the knowledge of Earhart’s life. My own personal experience with the forums and presentations has been, for the most part, disappointing due to the fascination with unproven, scientifically impossible conspiracy theories concerning her last flight. I choose not to attend or participate in these activities. Those who make a living writing books and giving paid presentations about conspiracy theories have a following who believe on faith, instead of facts. I equate them with those that believe there was no landing on the moon.

I support only the theory that Earhart ran out of fuel and that she and her navigator, Fred Noonan, died in the ultimate crash into the ocean. I know the Putnam and Earhart families as friends, and they have gracefully endured (and dismiss) the claims by those who have sought fame and commercial gain by various disparaging fictional accounts. I laud the work of Dr. Alex Mandel of Ukraine, and Elgen Long and his late wife, Marie in their relentless efforts to defend and protect scientific facts.

Ninety-Nines "Timeline" of Earhart's life: http://www.ninety-nines.org/index.cfm/amelia_earhart.htm

“A new kind of ship for Amelia,” by Giacinta Bradley Koontz which first appeared in Logbook magazine, 2008. (www.harrietquimby.org/pages/anewkindofship.html)

For more information about Atchison, Kansas and the Amelia Earhart Festival:
www.atchisonkansas.com

For information on the search for Amelia Earhart’s Electra:
www.elgenlong.com