BIG FLATS - Chemung County Executive Tom Santulli announced today the  Elmira/Corning Regional Airport will once again partner with Backyard Broadcasting as it presents the 14^th Annual Pride Ride and "Set the
Night to Music" fireworks event on Saturday, June 27, 2009. 

                                         14^th Annual Pride Ride

The WINK 106/ WINGZ 104.9 and THE BIG PIG 100.9 Pride Ride 2009 will pass
through five counties during the 160-mile excursion across the Twin Tiers traveling
through Northern Pennsylvania and the Southern Tier of New York.  Riders are asked to
bring a new, unwrapped toy as a donation to the Twin Tiers “Toys for Tots”
program. The Ride concludes with a slow parade style entrance onto the runway at the          

Elmira/Corning Regional Airport.

"I am delighted that the Elmira/Corning Regional Airport has the opportunity to
host this event that impacts the community in a positive way," said Ann Crook,
Manager, Elmira/Corning Regional Airport. "I love to make the Airport an element
of the great events and destinations that we’ve got in the Twin Tiers.  Building
on these strong partnerships helps us to expand our role as the regional airport."

"The event takes quite a bit of coordination on the part of the Airport staff – especially as
nearly 1,000 motorcycles finish their ride on the runway," says Airport Director of Operations
Bill DeGraw. "We work very closely with the event coordinators to make sure that all possible
safety measures are in place." 

                                    "Set the Night to Music" Fireworks

All members of the regional community can share in the celebration at the
fireworks display at the Elmira/Corning Regional Airport, beginning at 9:30pm. Spectators
will be allowed to walk onto the airfield to watch the fireworks display, which will be set off a
safe distance across the airfield from the spectators.

"We will erect a temporary fence to provide security throughout the event,"
says Ms. Crook. "In addition, Airport Operations staff will be standing by to
provide fire coverage for the pyrotechnics, clean the runway before it reopens,
and make sure that everyone exits the airfield after the fireworks."

Beginning at 6pm, spectators can park in the field at the entrance to the Wings of
Eagles Discovery Center and walk in the gate onto the airfield. Handicapped
parking will be available at this location. Some visitors to the annual event may
choose to park in a nearby field off Chambers Road and watch the fireworks
display from their cars or walk around the fence to the museum to enter the
airfield. To listen to the music provided for the event, spectators can tune any
radio to Wink 106 or any of their affiliate stations. In the spectator area,
Backyard Broadcasting will have a sound system and a live broadcast hosted
by Wink 106 radio personalities.  Lawn chairs and coolers are welcome; no glass
or alcohol please.  There will also be vendors on hand.  At the end of the event,
when leaving the parking lots all traffic will be directed to the left.

"This annual event brings joy to many in our county, and is a fine example of
how our regional organizations can, and do, work well together to benefit the
community," concludes Chemung County Executive Tom Santulli.  "Last year's
Pride Ride generated more than $25,000 worth of toys, distributed throughout
the Twin Tiers through "Toys for Tots".