Wings and Wheels brings cars, planes, and community together at Greenbrier Valley Airport

By Lauren Rodgers, RealWV

LEWISBURG W.Va. — Along the taxiway of the Greenbrier Valley Airport, classic cars lined the grass, their propped hoods gleaming under the bright sun. Children walked hand-in-hand with their parents and grandparents, awestruck by the planes parked atop the glowing asphalt. Attendees sat under the shade of a nearby airplane hangar, outfitted with tables and chairs, sipping lemonade and snacking on pepperoni rolls. The Wings and Wheels Car Show & Fly-In was in full swing, and an exhilarating energy had taken over the airfield.

Hosted by the Greenbrier Valley Airport, the 2026 Wings and Wheels Car Show & Fly-In was an inaugural event whose proceeds benefited the Peyton Hospice House. 

“We wanted to do something for the community,” said Martha Livesay, director of the Greenbrier Valley Airport. 

Chris Rawlings, CEO of Hospice Care, agreed with Martha’s sentiment in unison: “We’re here to support Peyton Hospice House and the community,” he said. 

Employees from both Hospice House and the Greenbrier Valley Airport came together as a team to make the event one to remember. 

“The staff here has been amazing and very accommodating,” said Micheal O’Brien, a member of the car show and owner of family business Ripco in Ronceverte. “Everybody’s happy — there’s plenty of food, plenty to do, lots of raffles, and an amazing cause.”

Livesay and Rawling’s mission to create a community-oriented event was undoubtedly successful. With almost 200 cars registered at the show, auto enthusiasts came from all over to see vintage cars and trucks. Airplanes, ranging in size from light aircraft to a C-130 military transport, attracted people of all ages, especially young children. A long line stretched behind the C-130 engine as visitors waited their turn to view the aircraft interior, where members of the West Virginia Air National Guard were giving tours. 

Students from Marshall University and Fairmont State University aviation programs showed off their aircraft and provided information on aviation education. “It’s just a good group of people that enjoy automobiles, planes, and some good fellowship,” O’Brien said.

Underneath the airplane hangar, a bluegrass band strummed a folk waltz. Children danced in front of the stage and ran to play in a nearby bounce castle. Food stands added to the air of state fair nostalgia atop the taxiway. Men and women sat in the grass behind their cars, mingling with one another and sharing stories of their vintage vehicles.  

Under Saturday’s bright blue sky, a Cessna 172 prepared for takeoff, attracting a crowd of viewers. An achievement in community spirit, the inaugural Wings and Wheels Car Show and Fly-In has us looking forward to next year’s event, which is sure to be fantastic.