CASCADE TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) — The Gerald R. Ford International Airport will celebrate its 60th anniversary with a free event in August.

On Thursday, the airport said the anniversary event will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Aug. 19, which is National Aviation Day.

“We’re throwing a birthday party and we want everybody to come out and celebrate with us,” said Haley Abbas, the marketing and communications manager for the Gerald R. Ford International Airport Authority. “Over those 60 years we have gotten six airline carriers that are connecting West Michigan residents to the world.”

The event will include staged aircraft, food trucks, live music and outdoor games. There will also be free swag and giveaways from community partners, which include West Michigan Aviation Academy, Aero Med and Grand Rapids Public Museum.

The celebration comes as the airport completes the expansion of Concourse A. Airport officials told News 8 this expansion will advance the Ford’s future and its potential for new routes.

“That’s really set us up for a ton of growth that’s going to happen over the next few years and investment that’s going to happen here at the airport,” Abbas said.