WATERTOWN, S.D.(KXLG)- Watertown’s new airport terminal held its official ribbon-cutting ceremony today, August 26th, 2022. The new terminal quickly filled up with a large crowd. It was one of the highest attended ribbon cuttings the City has had. Congressman Dusty Johnson and Bryon Noem also appeared and spoke to the public. Plus, as you can see by the photos and videos, a very unique ribbon cutting.
Mayor Ried Holien kicked off the event thanking past council members involved, former Mayor Sara Caron, and former Airport Manager Todd Syhre.
First Gentleman Bryon Noem stepped up next.
Congressman Dusty Johnson spoke on one of his airport experiences.
Public Works Director Heath VonEye stepped up to speak and started by thanking many people involved.
He ended by thanking the former council and others that had a vision of the future and explained the ceiling design is meant to replicate when the Millenium Falcon jumps off in hyperspace in the movie Star Wars.
Mayor Holien had a comment based on VonEye’s Star Wars-based explanation. “Flying through space ain’t like dusting crops, boy.”
City Manager Mack spoke on her experience with other communities.
Dr. Jerry Rieber, the current airport board president, also had some comments and spoke to the board, being all volunteers.
Denver Air Connect Pilot and Director of Business Development John Coleman discussed how they sold seats on one of the planes to raise funds for some Lake Area Technical College students in aviation to be pilots. They raised over $30,000.
After that, the crowd all stepped outside to do an “official ribbon cutting,” They all came back to view a unique ribbon cutting. As seen in the photos and video, they planned a cropduster to fly through a ribbon and “cut” it.