By Matthew Nash
Olympic Peninsula News Group
SEQUIM — Five years in and organizers of the Olympic Peninsula Air Affaire and Sequim Valley Fly-In emphasize its motto and cost remains the same: all the fun you can have for five bucks per carload.
The Air Affaire/Fly-In runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Sequim Valley Airport, 468 Dorothy Hunt Lane, where all things that go sky-high are on display.
“It’s a fun time with a little bit of everything for everyone, whether it’s one person or a family of 50 in a car,” said co-organizer Kelly Jo Hill.
Since its inception in 2013 as a joint celebration for the city of Sequim’s centennial and the airport’s 30th anniversary, the cost of attendance has remained $5 per carload.
The reactions to the sights and sounds have remained the same, too.
“The look on kids’ faces seeing the planes is priceless,” Hill said.
While weather has limited attendance of various aircraft, this weekend’s Air Affaire looks to be clear for first-timers and staples of the event.
Among activities planned are:
• Balloon rides — 7 a.m. daily; fees apply. Contact 360-601-2433 or email airboss@nwplace.com.
• 9 a.m. both days — Remote-controlled plane demonstrations, “Wings and Wheels” car show, food, music, bounce house balloon, helicopter rides, fees apply, safety fair, wing walker, and more.
• “Wings and Wheels” car show — Show up before 9 a.m.; $10 fee Saturday, free Sunday if you come Saturday. Call 417-0676 for more information.
On Saturday, Michael Payne, director of the Port Townsend Aero Museum, plans to bring over aircraft including a 1946 Piper J-3 Cub and a 1942 Boeing PT-17, both training aircraft from the 1940s.
Co-organizer Emily Westcott said she’s trying to recruit all types of planes from all over for the event, too.
While it’s technically always been a “fly-in,” Westcott said organizers added it to the event’s name to recruit more planes.
As in years past, organizers aren’t sure until shortly before the event who can fly in for the event.
Several locals are planning to attend, though, including Atomic Helicopters, which will fly both days for an additional fee depending on the number of passengers and route.
The West Coast Spin Doctors, Mike and Marilyn Mason, will return in the afternoon both days to demonstrate wing walking in their 1943 Stearman.
The remote-controlled airplanes flown by the Sequim RC Aeronauts and Port Angeles’ Olympic RC Modelers will take flight both days as a fundraiser for Volunteer Hospice of Clallam County. As in previous years, the Tri-Area R/C fliers out of Chimacum will join them.
Flights also are still available in a hot air balloon with Capt. Crystal Stout at 7 a.m. through the event.
She plans to turn a balloon on its side for a sock hop/bounce house both days, with donations helping the Dream Catcher Balloon Program, which offers flights for mentally and physically impaired people. Stout also plans to offer tethered rides for $10 for the program.
Hill said the Air Affaire welcomes back a safety fair with first responders including Washington State Patrol’s bomb squad robot doing demonstrations, Clallam County Fire District No. 3, the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office and more.
Clowns also will be on site from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday to offer balloons and face painting.
The car show, now called “Wings and Wheels,” offers awards Saturday for a $10 entry fee and free entry to the event Sunday for those participating.
Live music, shaved ice and food are planned.
Andy Sallee, president of the airport, said he enjoys the Air Affaire because it “showcases aviation and all the different aspects of it.”
“It’s also a good way for people to connect with the Experimental Aircraft Association, who offer free rides through the Young Eagles program,” he said.
For more information on the Olympic Peninsula Air Affaire and Sequim Valley Fly-In, visit olympic peninsulaairaffaire.com or call 360-670-6294.
Volunteers can contact Hill at olympicpeninsula airaffaire@gmail.com or 360-461-3950.
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Matthew Nash is a reporter with the Olympic Peninsula News Group, which is composed of Sound Publishing newspapers Peninsula Daily News, Sequim Gazette and Forks Forum. Reach him at mnash@sequimgazette.com.
Jeff Wise of Sequim snaps a photo of a 1946 Fairchild from Seattle at the Olympic Peninsula Air Affaire and Sequim Valley Fly-In last year, which continues this weekend Aug. 26-27 at the Sequim Valley Airport. Sequim Gazette file photo by Matthew Nash
Remote control airplanes, like this one being flown by Barry Johnson of the Sequim Aeronauts, return to do tricks both days of the Olympic Peninsula Air Affaire and Sequim Valley Fly-In on Aug. 26-27. Sequim Gazette file photo by Matthew Nash
Visitors to the Olympic Peninsula Air Affaire last year admire Neil and Linda Morrison of Port Townsend’s Beechcraft C45H that was first delivered to Childress Army Air Field, Texas, on Aug. 26, 1943, to service train bombardiers. Sequim Gazette file photo by Matthew Nash
