(KAIR)--49-years of Atchison's International Forest of Friendship will be celebrated this weekend, complete with new honorees, the traditional Parade of Flags, and a celebrated bush pilot as distinguished honoree for 2025, all under this year's theme of Flying and Forests.

According to a release from board member Diane Liebsch, Distinguished Honoree and the Keynote Luncheon Speaker for the annual celebration is Angela Tanton, who began flying lessons in 1992, and now holds both Canadian and American licenses.

An airline transport-rated pilot with over 8500 hours, Tanton is also a lifelong bush pilot who has, the release says, "established a connection between “flying and forests” and all living ecosystems," and has flown in a variety of countries for such diverse pursuits as tourism and VIP transport to aerial firefighting and pollution patrol.

The Forest- celebration kicks off Friday evening at 5:30 with a Cocktail Party at the Amelia Earhart Hangar Museum, while the next day, Saturday, will include the annual luncheon where Tanton will serve as Keynote Speaker. Reservations are required for both by calling 913-367-1419.

No reservations are required for Saturday morning's celebration at the Forest, beginning with the annual Parade of Flags, lead by Smokey the Bear, at 10:00, followed by the induction of 12 new honorees into the Forest- sidewalks, "all representing contributions to aviation and aerospace."

Smokey the Bear will also be available for pictures at the Forest Saturday, as children's activities are held throughout the morning.