Enthusiasts flocked to the Planes, Games and Automobiles day, designed to showcase the 27 recreational and professional organisations based at the Learmonth Rd site.

Event spokesman Daryl Chibnall, who owns AeroVision, said the event was the first of its kind at the airport in 15 years.

"We did have air shows here a long time ago, but they really died because of the size of the International Airshow at Avalon," he said.

"This is really the first one since then."

The event featured fly-bys, historic aircraft, drag racing machines, street rods, trail bikes, restored Morris Minors, Ballarat's own unique model railway system and the latest technology on board Victoria's Emergency Aviation

Aircraft fleet.

The festivities included polocrosse and dart displays, amateur radio with the Ballarat Amateur Radio Group and hands on action with the Wood Workers' Guild.

The day was a special thrill for Ballarat couple Leanne and Paul Hunter who won 3BA's Come Fly With Me competition, venturing up into the sky courtesy of the Ballarat Aero Club's Cessna 172.

"I love flying," Mr Hunter said. "It was great to win the competition."

Mr Chibnall said the day was also an opportunity to celebrate the airport and its bright future, with the Aerodrome Master Plan on show.

He said the blueprint would map out the site's future and pave the way for sensible development around the facility.

"It's going to protect our long term livelihood," he said.

"There's some good opportunities here."