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The
Mason City Airport dedication was attended by Charles Lindbergh
shortly after his historic transatlantic flight. Sadly, more than
30 years later, the airport became remembered for a much different
tragic event.
 On
February 3, 1959, singer and musician Buddy Holly gave a
performance at the Surf Ballroom's Winter Dance Party in Clear Lake.
Holly, Ritchie Valens and J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson
boarded a private plane at the Mason City Airport to travel to their
next engagement. The flight was barely off the ground when icy weather
caused the plane to crash in a field near Clear Lake. A memorial
to the
three rock 'n' roll legends stands in the field today, commemorating
"The Day theMusic Died."
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