BURLINGTON, North Carolina — Burlington and Alamance County have long been known for their textile heritage, but that industry was only part of what made this community so special. When the Sock Puppets launched their new name in 2021, they did so to honor this very industry, but saw the unique ability to be able to continue to honor various industries, events and people with their new brand. May 16, 2021 marked the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Alamance, and to celebrate, the Burlington baseball team launched the first of many community puppets. On the 75th anniversary of another landmark venue here in Burlington, it’s time to announce another, The Aviator.

When Glenn Huffman and Dover Fogleman built Fairchild Airfield in 1931, they marked the beginning of an industry that has been a key catalyst in the growth of the City of Burlington and Alamance County over the past 91 years. following. At the start of World War II a few years later, many companies, as well as the federal government, occupied the airfield and began producing various pieces of equipment to aid the war effort. Due to the rise of the new industry, many new people moved here for work and built a new community on the east side of Burlington. Even though Fairchild Airfield closed in the 1960s, the aviation industry continued to grow and prosper in central North Carolina.

Seeing a further need for expansion in the aviation industry in 1947, it was decided to build a new airport in Burlington. Now, as they celebrate 75 years of service to this community, Burlington Airport continues to grow and help surrounding areas grow. Serving both the public and many businesses, the airport is one of the most vital contributors that has created new jobs in Alamance County.

Dan Danieley, Executive Director of the Burlington-Alamance Airport Authority, sums up the airport’s purpose and role by saying, “The purpose of the airport is to serve the community. As a key transportation and logistics hub, the Burlington Alamance Regional Airport literally connects our community to the world. We are an essential economic engine for the development of businesses, not only in our community, but also in our region. »

Now with two community characters as part of their brand, the Sock Puppets continue to try to tell the story of their community in a very different way. “A sock puppet can be anything,” said Anderson Rathbun, General Manager of Sock Puppets, “and even before we decided to go with the Sock Puppets moniker and honor textile heritage, we seen hundreds and hundreds of community members share more pieces of history that they wanted to see embodied in our new brand Now to come full circle and be able to honor not one, not two, not three but one unlimited amount of story with their respective and unique sock puppets is something we are very proud of.”

To learn more about the Burlington-Alamance Airport Authority, click here.