{gallery}01_07_10/billkeil{/gallery}New sponsors to guarantee airplane/auto show goes onBecause Powell Valley Chamber of Commerce will not be sponsoring the 14th annual Wings ‘N' Wheels this summer, a member of the Powell Municipal Airport board and two other individuals are seizing the initiative to continue the event.“The chamber opted out of sponsorship,” said Bill Keil, Powell Municipal Airport Advisory Commission chairman to the Powell City Council Monday.Keil and Powell locals Mike Martin and Mike Harker will reach into their own pockets to ensure the event takes flight this summer.

They've created a limited liability company with a tax ID number, and may start sending deposit checks to performers this week, Keil told the council.

Keil, Martin and Harker were on the original Wings 'N' Wheels Committee when it was sponsored by the chamber.

Now they are the committee, but they will have assistance from a half-dozen or so others, including airport manager Orville Moore and airport board member Tom Bibbey, Keil said.

“We're not going to let this die,” Keil said.

Wings 'N' Wheels features a car show and displays of aircraft, and has grown to include air shows. It draws crowds from as far as Billings, Casper and beyond.

“We wish them the best of luck,” said Naomi Burns, Powell Valley Chamber of Commerce executive director, on Tuesday.

Wings 'N' Wheels is expanding and is growing beyond the chamber's capacity, Burns said.

“We have to step back and do other things as a chamber,” she said.

The chamber is working on its annual banquet for Jan. 28, Powell Municipal Golf Course will showcase in March, west-end businesses will showcase in May, Alumni Weekend in June, Crazy Days in July, along with summer activities for Plaza Diane and planning for a harvest event in October, Burns said.

Burns said the chamber would include Wings 'N' Wheels on its Web site, register car show participants and lend a hand.

Keil said he, Martin and Harker formed a limited liability company because creating a non-profit takes a year.

“It will be operated as a non-profit as it always has been,” he said.

Keil said it would be nice if he and his investors could get their money back, but they're not in it for the money.

If there are any profits, that money will be placed in the kitty for the following year's Wings ‘N' Wheels, Keil said.

“It's not something we're going into in the hopes of making money,” he said.

Keil said a first-class act runs between $5,000 and $6,000.

“I think a budget of somewhere in the neighborhood of $20,000 would make (the event) happen,” Keil said.

Pilots carry their own insurance, but public liability insurance runs $5,000 per day, he added.

On Jan. 18, Keil plans to attend the City Council meeting and present a definitive plan, budget and a request for a little financial help. Organizers also plan to ask the Park County Travel Council for assistance to get help for this year or “get our name in the hat for next year,” Keil said.

Mayor Scott Mangold asked if there was any money leftover from the 2009 event.

After last year's mishap, no admission was charged, and the event barely broke even. There was about $200 in profits, which the chamber kept, Keil said.

Keil and the other investors already have contacted pilots and performers. One from Rexburg, Idaho, who flies a World War II P-51 Mustang, has made an oral commitment, Keil said.

Keil said he and his friends are not looking for a pat on the back. “We just want to see this continue.”

Donations would be appreciated, and sponsors are recognized at the event, Keil said.

Folks can mark their August calendars.

“I'm sure it's going to happen,” Keil said.