WHAT: Fairfield First Selectman Mike Tetreau and Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim will hold a joint press conference to recognize and honor the 116th Anniversary of Gustave Whitehead’s “First in Flight” which took place August 14, 1901, predating the Wright Brothers’ 1903 flight. Both municipal leaders will read proclamations from their respective communities declaring August 14th as “Gustave Whitehead Day”.

WHEN: Monday, August 14, 2017—10 am – Rain or Shine

WHERE: Bridgeport’s West End Park at the intersection of State Street and Fairfield Avenue and diagonally across from the fountain sculpture of Whitehead’s Flyer (intersection of State Street Extension and Fairfield Avenue). Street parking on State Street or Fairfield Avenue or inside the park off Mountain Grove Street. Silliman Memorial Baptist Church, 1728 Fairfield Avenue, faces the park

WHO: First Selectman Tetreau, Mayor Ganim, Sammie Kusterer, Whitehead’s great great granddaughter, and Fairfield resident Andy Kosch who had successfully built and flown a replica of Whitehead’s plane, “Condor No. 21”. The life size plane replica will be on display for the public from 10-12 pm.

WHY: Bridgeport and Fairfield are joining together to share their pride for one of its own whose “First in Flight” made Bridgeport and Fairfield the birthplace of powered flight.

For more information, please contact:

Jennifer S. Carpenter
Press Secretary
First Selectman’s Office/Town of Fairfield
725 Old Post Road
Fairfield, CT 06824
jcarpenter@fairfieldct.org
203-256-3095(w)/203-685-8126(c)

Or

Rowena White
Director of Communications
Office of the Mayor/City of Bridgeport
Margaret E. Morton Government Center
999 Broad Street | Bridgeport, CT 06604
Rowena.White@Bridgeportct.gov
203-576-8439(w)/203-726-0047(c)