Crowds of all ages pack Arlington Fly-In

ARLINGTON — For experimental aircraft builders, World War II history buffs and kids who love jaw-dropping aerial acrobatics, Arlington’s annual Fly-In is a must.

The Fly-In, which attracts pilots from around the country and families from around the region, continues today and Saturday at Arlington Municipal Airport. In addition, the annual Arlington Street Fair is today until 6 p.m. and from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday along Olympic Avenue. For easy travel, a free shuttle runs between the downtown fair and the airport show.

On Thursday, Rob Herndon and his son, TJ, made a nearly three-hour flight from Caldwell, Idaho, in Herndon’s RV-6, a kit plane he built in his garage. The flight to Arlington has been a birthday present each year for TJ, who turns 13 on Monday.

Once landed and parked, the Herndons set up their tent next to their two-seater plane and set out to visit other pilots.

“We get to see a lot of unusual aircraft here in Arlington,” said TJ, who hopes to earn his pilot’s license by age 16.

Thursday was Kids Day at the Fly-In and the air show was packed with children from YMCAs and Boys &Girls clubs running from one display to the next. Especially popular with the kids was the NASCAR simulation vehicle.

Vintage airplanes and old cars displayed at the Barnstormer’s Barn also drew a crowd of all ages.

Walking down an airport runway, Lauren Hansen, from Arlington, let her 16-month-old son, Andrew, get out of his stroller and check out one of the golf carts used by Fly-In volunteers to get around. Among those volunteers are legions of local Civil Air Patrol Cadets, Naval Sea Cadets and Royal Canadian Air Force Cadets.

“It’s my first time here, but it’s a great event,” Hansen said. “Andrew seems to having a good time looking at everything.”

Also on Thursday, in the popular military history section called Camp Adams, two authors shared books about their World War II veteran fathers.

Jim Keeffe, from Fall City, wrote “Two Gold Coins and a Prayer: The Epic Journey of a WWII Bomber Pilot, Evader and POW” about his father, a co-pilot in a B-24 bomber shot down over the Netherlands in 1944.

Ron Miner from Salem, Ore., wrote “Sketches of a Black Cat,” detailing some of his father’s experiences as a combat aviator in the Pacific. The book is illustrated with drawings and paintings his father did during the war.

Keeffe and Miner plan to talk about their books and their dads again today and Saturday.

Their presentations are just some of the many forums, exhibits and how-to workshops scheduled during the Fly-In.

People also can take rides in a biplane and enjoy the dramatic air shows at 2 p.m. Among the pilots planning to fly are the favorite father-son duo Bud Granley, of Bellevue, and Ross Granley, of Mill Creek, who perform their Yak 18T and Yak 55 act throughout North America.

Today’s events include a lighted hot air balloon show at dusk. At 9:30 Saturday evening, the night air show includes pyrotechnics and aerial acrobatics.

Also at the Fly-In, military veterans can get free help finding civilian jobs 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. today and Saturday. The Hero 2 Hired mobile jobs program offers people the chance to do a comprehensive online job search, write a resume and figure out how their military skills translate to civilian job qualifications.

Meanwhile, at the street fair, people can browse through about 100 vendor booths and participate in the Arlington Idol singing contest or youth art projects.

Gale Fiege: 425-339-3427; gfiege@heraldnet.com.

Fly-In

The Arlington Fly-In, www.arlingtonflyin.org, runs through Saturday at the west entrance to the airport, 4700 188th St. NE. More about the Arlington Street Fair is at arlingtonwa.org.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Trader Joe’s customers walk in and out of the store on Monday, Nov. 20, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New Trader Joe’s opens this week at Everett Mall

It’s a short move from a longtime location, essentially across the street, where parking was often an adventure.

Ian Bramel-Allen enters a guilty plea to second-degree murder during a plea and sentencing hearing on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Deep remorse’: Man gets 17 years for friend’s fatal stabbing in Edmonds

Ian Bramel-Allen, 44, pleaded guilty Wednesday to second-degree murder for killing Bret Northcutt last year at a WinCo.

Firefighters respond to a small RV and a motorhome fire on Tuesday afternoon in Marysville. (Provided by Snohomish County Fire Distrct 22)
1 injured after RV fire, explosion near Marysville

The cause of the fire in the 11600 block of 81st Avenue NE had not been determined, fire officials said.

Ashton Dedmon appears in court during his sentencing hearing on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett Navy sailor sentenced to 90 days for fatal hit and run

Ashton Dedmon crashed into Joshua Kollman and drove away. Dedmon, a petty officer on the USS Kidd, reported he had a panic attack.

A kindergarten student works on a computer at Emerson Elementary School on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘¡Una erupción!’: Dual language programs expanding to 10 local schools

A new bill aims to support 10 new programs each year statewide. In Snohomish County, most follow a 90-10 model of Spanish and English.

Logo for news use featuring the Tulalip Indian Reservation in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Woman drives off cliff, dies on Tulalip Reservation

The woman fell 70 to 80 feet after driving off Priest Point Drive NW on Sunday afternoon.

Everett
Boy, 4, survives fall from Everett fourth-story apartment window

The child was being treated at Seattle Children’s. The city has a limited supply of window stops for low-income residents.

People head out to the water at low tide during an unseasonably warm day on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at Lighthouse Park in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett shatters record high temperature by 11 degrees

On Saturday, it hit 73 degrees, breaking the previous record of 62 set in 2007.

Snohomish County Fire District #4 and Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue respond to a motor vehicle collision for a car and pole. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene, near Triangle Bait & Tackle in Snohomish. (Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office)
Police: Troopers tried to stop driver before deadly crash in Snohomish

The man, 31, was driving at “a high rate of speed” when he crashed into a traffic light pole and died, investigators said.

Alan Dean, who is accused of the 1993 strangulation murder of 15-year-old Bothell girl Melissa Lee, appears in court during opening statements of his trial on Monday, March 18, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
31 years later, trial opens in Bothell teen’s brutal killing

In April 1993, Melissa Lee’s body was found below Edgewater Creek Bridge. It would take 27 years to arrest Alan Dean in her death.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Snohomish in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Man dies after crashing into pole in Snohomish

Just before 1 a.m., the driver crashed into a traffic light pole at the intersection of 2nd Street and Maple Avenue.

Bodies of two men recovered after falling into Eagle Falls near Index

Two men fell into the falls and did not resurface Saturday, authorities said. After a recovery effort, two bodies were found.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.