The next “Wings Over Wiscasset” will need a new helmsman, more sponsors and an earlier lineup of volunteers, Wiscasset Town Manager Laurie Smith said.

The organizing committee's August 16 debriefing at the Wiscasset Municipal Airport yielded a series of ideas on the future of “Wings.” Those included more food choices, bigger signs telling event-goers about activities' locations, and a possible investment in a hard-wired public address system.

The system in use August 6 was an issue because it only reached part of the town-owned airport, Smith said in an interview following last week's meeting.

As for the volunteers, Smith said some weren't on board until the day before the event. Some weren't sure ahead of time if they could get the day off work, because the event was on a Tuesday.

Committee members discussed a possible switch to a weekend date for next year, to help secure volunteers and maybe increase attendance from this year's 4,500-5,000, Smith said; no decision was made. One factor will be the dates the Texas Flying Legends Museum Warbirds are available, she said.

A volunteer sign-up will likely be added to the event website, Smith said.

The first event producer Dennis St. Pierre will help out as much as he can, but no longer in that role due to uncertainty he would be available, Smith said.

“Dennis did a great job,” she said.

The committee meets again September 12, allowing a larger planning window than the seven month lead time for the event's premiere.

About $10,000 in sponsorships helped the committee pull off the first “Wings.” But there were also in-kind contributions from the Warbirds and Music Doing Good to help the event in its first year, Smith noted.

The committee is projecting the next one will take at least $20,000 in sponsorships, Smith said.

Feedback on year one has been very positive, she said; besides the Warbirds, highlights cited included the concert, fireworks and the event's honoring of veterans.

Susan Johns can be reached at 207-844-4633 or susanjohns@wiscassetnewspaper.com