This is a FREE family-friendly event. 

The Spirit of Freedom will be open to the public prior to the candy drop, beginning at 9 a.m. 

The annual candy drop will take place at the Dare County Regional Airport in Manteo on Sunday, December 18, 2022 at 12:30 p.m. (ages 6 and younger) and 1 p.m. (ages 7 and older). Santa will also arrive at the Dare County Airport during this time and will be available for photos.

For more information, please contact Karin Edmond at 252-473-1795.

More information about the event:

Click here to view the event flier.

BERLIN AIRLIFT FOUNDATION AND SPIRIT OF FREEDOM FLIGHT CREW SALUTE THE CANDY BOMBER

Three-day event: December 15-18, 2022 

Col. Gail Halvorsen became known as the “Candy Bomber” after he began dropping candy to Berlin children during the time of the Berlin Airlift, which was a joint project of the U.S. and the U.K. to bring food and fuel by air to the more than 2 million city residents during the blockade. Halvorsen passed away in February at the age of 101.

To honor Halvorsen, a three-day event will be held this year. Berlin Airlift Historical Foundation representatives and the Spirit of Freedom’s flight crew will share stories and the history of the Berlin Airlift before answering questions in an open forum that will take place at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, December 16, 2022 at the Virginia S. Tillett Community Center.

There will be a flyover on Saturday, December 17, and the candy drop itself will take place at the Dare County Regional Airport in Manteo on Sunday, December 18 at 12:30 p.m. and 1 p.m. Santa will be onsite as well. The Spirit of Freedom will be open to the public prior to the candy drop on Sunday starting at 9 a.m.