When Howard Abernathy steps on stage, he s transported to another era. The 85-year-old Overland Park resident is transported to the time of this youth, when big band music reigned and soldiers were heading off to fight in the war. Abernathy was a musician even back then and played with a United States Navy band and with Gene Krupa, a popular jazz drummer. During World War II, Abernathy was stationed in a naval training center in Sampson, N.Y., as part of a special services band.

Every time there was a bond drive to raise money for the war effort we d make a tour of the defense plants, he said. Abernathy remembers the lively dances held at airport hangars and military drill halls, he remembers the upbeat music and dancing, and he remembers how people seemed to have a more relaxed state of mind even in the midst of war. There was a different philosophy at that time, he said.

It may have been decades ago, but on Saturday Abernathy will try to recreate the feeling of the 1940s at the World War II Hangar Dance and USO show re-enactment at the former Olathe Naval Air Station, outside Gardner. The facility is now known as New Century Airport. Saturday s event is sold out. A thousand people are expected, Olathe communications specialist Melissa Fears said in a press release. The event will be the finale for the city of Olathe s year-long sesquicentennial celebration.

We are trying to recreate the sights and sound, literally, of a 1940-style USO show and dance that evening, said Olathe resident Ron Ernst, who serves as the event coordinator. Ernst and Abernathy are both members of the Moonlight Serenade Orchestra, a local band who will perform at Saturday night s dance.