4th Annual PlaneTags Festival: A Celebration of Aviation, Community, and Collecting

The 4th Annual PlaneTags Festival was a time to remember, bringing together aviation enthusiasts and collectors from around the world to celebrate our shared passion for aviation history. From lively conversations and trades to exclusive experiences and rare finds, the festival showcased the best of the PlaneTags community. With two days of unforgettable events, including a Friday night social and Saturday’s packed agenda, this year’s TagFest was the perfect blend of fun, connection, and aviation nostalgia.

The History of TagFest

The PlaneTags Festival began as a heartfelt idea to bring collectors together and celebrate their shared love of aviation history. The first PlaneTags Festival was held on November 5 and 6, 2021, at MotoArt Headquarters in Torrance, California. What started as a small gathering has since grown into an annual tradition that unites aviation enthusiasts and collectors from around the world.

 “Our goal was simple,” said MotoArt owner Dave Hall. “We wanted to open the doors to MotoArt, welcome our collectors in, show them behind the scenes, and let them know how much we appreciate them.”

Since that inaugural event, TagFest has evolved into a cornerstone of the PlaneTags community, offering attendees a unique opportunity to connect with fellow collectors, trade and shop exclusive PlaneTags, and immerse themselves in aviation history like never before. Each year builds on the last, creating new memories and deepening the bonds that make this community so special.

Friday Night: Dinner, Dancing, and Community

The festival kicked off with an unforgettable Friday night celebration filled with music, food, and camaraderie. Guests arrived at MotoArt Headquarters to the vibrant sounds of the live band, Hi Fi Soundtrack, setting the tone for an evening of fun and connection. The atmosphere was electric as familiar faces reunited and online friends from the MotoArt PlaneTags Collections Facebook group finally put names to faces in person.

Outside, the taco grill kept everyone fueled with fresh, delicious bites, while the open bar ensured glasses stayed full. Whether catching up with old friends, dancing to the live music, or exchanging aviation stories, every corner of the evening was buzzing with laughter and energy. The night perfectly captured the spirit of the PlaneTags community—a shared passion for aviation, good company, and great memories.

Saturday Morning: Kicking Off the Festival

Saturday morning began with excitement in the air as attendees lined up bright and early, eager to start the day. Each guest was greeted with a special gift bag filled with festival-exclusive items, including a custom fest T-shirt, a special edition PlaneTags Festival tag, PlaneFetti bottles, and other surprises that set the tone for an incredible day ahead.

 The energy was infectious as collectors mingled, showing off their favorite tags and sharing stories of their journeys to TagFest. With the sun shining and the MotoArt team ready to welcome everyone, the stage was set for a day full of unforgettable moments celebrating aviation and the thriving PlaneTags community.

Inspiring Talks and Special Guests

The day’s events were elevated by a lineup of inspiring talks and presentations that brought aviation history to life. Dave Hall warmly welcomed attendees, reflecting on the incredible year for MotoArt and thanking everyone for being part of the PlaneTags journey.

The team from Charlotte Douglas International Airport, including architects and executives, shared a behind-the-scenes look at their newest expansion. Through captivating photos, they highlighted how MotoArt’s functional art pieces are being integrated into the airport’s design, making aviation history accessible and inspiring to travelers.

Margaret and Bill Soplata, special guests and members of the Soplata family, gave a heartfelt presentation about Margaret’s unique upbringing as the daughter of Walter Soplata, an iconic aviation history collector. They shared rare personal photos and touching stories about Walter’s passion for preserving aviation artifacts and the airplane sanctuary that became Margaret’s childhood home. Their anecdotes offered attendees a glimpse into a world few have experienced, filled with the wonder of aviation and a deep respect for its legacy.

Adding to the excitement, award-winning filmmaker Monty Miranda introduced his latest film, PTO: F-84B, which chronicles the MotoArt team’s extraordinary efforts to recover an F-84B Thunderjet from the Soplata estate in Newbury, Ohio. Monty spent a week on-site with Kevin, Santiago, Vlad, and Dave, capturing the challenges and triumphs of this monumental task. Attendees were treated to the exclusive premiere of the film, which is now available to watch on YouTube. Monty shared his experience filming the project, offering insight into the importance of preserving aviation history through storytelling and collaboration.

 This inspiring segment of the festival brought the past and present together, reminding everyone of the dedication and passion behind the PlaneTags mission.

The Auction: Rare Finds and Priceless Treasures

One of the most anticipated moments of the PlaneTags Festival was the lively and unforgettable auction, hosted by the charismatic David O’Shaughnessy. Known for his humor and energy, David kept the crowd engaged and entertained as attendees vied for a chance to own some truly unique aviation treasures.

The auction featured an incredible array of items, each with its own story and significance. Highlights included a once-in-a-lifetime boneyard tour at Mojave Air & Space Port, rare aviation artifacts collected by Dave Hall over the years, and a selection of sold-out PlaneTags that are no longer available anywhere else. Among the most coveted items were exclusive #10 “family tags,” typically reserved for Dave’s family, as well as a stunning C-5 Galaxy window and distinctive PlaneTags racks and displays.

Attendees were not only bidding on extraordinary pieces of aviation history but also on priceless memories and experiences. Every item offered a unique connection to the stories and legacy that PlaneTags strives to preserve.

For a closer look at the items that were up for auction and the stories behind them, check out the auction booklet here. This link provides a deeper dive into the treasures that made this year’s auction such a memorable part of the festival.

With spirited bidding and the crowd buzzing with excitement, the auction was a true highlight of TagFest, embodying the passion and dedication of the PlaneTags community.

Exclusive Experiences

For many collectors, the highlight of PlaneTags Festival is the exclusive shopping experience—a rare opportunity to handpick their own tags, a luxury not available online. Typically, collectors order PlaneTags and eagerly wait to see which number or unique features they’ll receive. At TagFest, however, attendees could browse and select their tags in person, hunting for specific serial numbers or distinct characteristics that make their collections special.

Adding to the excitement were hidden Easter Egg tags, unavailable on the website, and mystery boxes containing surprise PlaneTags for those seeking an extra thrill. These exclusive items sparked joy and friendly competition among attendees as they searched for rare finds.

The community atmosphere extended beyond the shop. Many collectors brought their prized collections to show off, sell, or trade with others. Tables were filled with displays of rare PlaneTags, and conversations buzzed with stories behind each tag. The swapping of tags and the sharing of aviation tales turned the day into a vibrant marketplace and a celebration of collecting.

This hands-on, interactive experience is what makes TagFest truly unique, giving collectors an unparalleled connection to their PlaneTags and to the community that shares their passion.

A Perfect Close

The day ended on a high note, as attendees gathered to reflect on the incredible experiences of the festival. Laughter and stories filled the air as collectors shared their finds, traded tags, and bonded over their shared passion for aviation.

The warmth of the PlaneTags community was on full display, with new friendships forged and old ones rekindled. From the inspiring talks and exclusive shopping to the excitement of the auction and the thrill of uncovering hidden gems, the 4th Annual PlaneTags Festival was truly a celebration to remember.

As the sun set on another unforgettable TagFest, attendees left with not just their new PlaneTags and treasures, but with memories that will last a lifetime. It was the perfect close to a weekend filled with connection, camaraderie, and the love of aviation history.

Until next year, happy collecting!

Thank you Anthony Evans for allowing us to use your photos of the event.