The annual Wheels and Wings Festival & 5K was established in 2017 to benefit Lancaster city youths. Since then, the Rotary Club of Lancaster's fundraiser has really "gotten rolling"; it's really "taken off."

"It's really a fun, family day," said Amy Lewis, who's been a member of the Rotary of Lancaster's board of directors for two years. "We encourage families to come. There's music that gives it a classic car vibe. It's a chance to explore Lancaster Airport in a way you don't usually get, support the Rotary and support this amazing cause."

The Wheels and Wings Festival & 5K is part car show, part running competition and part airplane show. The sixth edition of the event will be held on Saturday, May 17, from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Lancaster Airport, 500 Airport Road, Lititz.

The day will begin at 8 a.m. with the running of the 5K over a fairly flat course on the grounds of Brethren Village, 3001 Lititz Pike, Lititz. More than 100 runners are expected to compete.

Runners can register at https://runsignup.com/Race/PA/Lititz/WheelsWingsFestival5K or on-site, beginning at 7 a.m. on the day of the race. The deadline to receive a discounted fee is Friday, May 9.

The car and plane shows will then take center stage at 9 a.m. Nearly 300 vehicles are expected to be on display - classic automobiles, futuristic imports, motorcycles and trucks - and prizes will be awarded in 16 different categories, while spectators will get an opportunity to vote for the people's choice award.

Owners can register their vehicles by searching for "Rotary Club of Lancaster Wheels and Wings Festival and 5K" at http://www.eventbrite.com or on-site the day of the event.

The plane show portion of the day will feature a display of World War II Warbirds presented by Capital Wing, Commemorative Air Force. Pennsylvania State Police and Life Lion helicopters are expected to be on hand, and tours of the aircraft will be made available.

The Wheels and Wings Festival is free to attend for spectators, but a fee to park will be charged.

"We used to do a fundraiser at (Franklin & Marshall) College," said Lewis. "But we picked this up, and it took off. It has certainly grown. One of the things that's grown is the number of planes we've been able to get. I think people see these planes, look at them and remember them from their history books. It's all different kinds of planes."

The event's mood will be enhanced by live music, five food trucks serving breakfast and lunch, door prizes, games, a children's area and vendors. More than 1,000 guests are expected to attend.

Organizers of the Wheels and Wings Festival & 5K are aiming to realize $40,000 in proceeds, which will be donated to the Rotary Club of Lancaster's Summer Youth Experience program, which is supported by United Way of Lancaster County. The program is designed to benefit Lancaster city youths ages 5 through 17 through activities that teach leadership and aim to help prevent the "summer slide" that can occur between school years.

"The Rotary has a long history of working with the School District of Lancaster," said Lewis. "We're trying to bridge that (summer) gap so students can retain from year to year. It's an area where some kids have fallen behind. We learned that some kids were struggling over the summer. It's meant to build academic skills and build confidence."

Living the motto of "Service Above Self," the Rotary Club of Lancaster engages in fundraisers and community activities to benefit the 4-H Club of Lancaster County, a youth exchange and host family program in conjunction with the School District of Lancaster, Power Packs food program in Lancaster, Preserve Planet Earth and the Salvation Army. The Rotary Club of Lancaster, which meets every Wednesday at noon at Farm & Home Center, 1383 Arcadia Road, Lancaster, was founded in 1915 and currently includes 103 members.

"The Rotary Club of Lancaster has a rich history of helping in Lancaster County," said Lewis. "We've become entrenched in the community, especially for at-risk youth. Wheels and Wings is just another way to do that."

"We live by a four-way test, 'Is it the truth? Is it fair? Is it going to build goodwill? Is it going to be beneficial?'" added Lewis. "Everything we do runs through the four-way test. We want to benefit as many people as possible. I think that's what's kept us flourishing for more than a hundred years."

For additional information, go to http://www.lancasterrotary.org.