Kids take to the air for free at Arlington Airport event

ARLINGTON — Free airplane rides for kids are a mainstay at the annual Arlington Airport Appreciation Day.

This year’s celebration of the municipal airport is set for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday near the airport office at 18204 59th Ave. NE.

The purpose of the day is to showcase the role of the airport in the community and to introduce aviation to the next generation, said airport coordinator Tim Mensonides.

Young people ages 8 through 17, with parental permission, can take a free plane ride, thanks to the efforts of local pilots who are donating their time and resources, Mensonides said.

“If any of those kids who get a plane ride Saturday go on into aviation, they will remember that first ride here in Arlington for the rest of their lives,” Mensonides said. “One flight and you’re hooked. My parents are general aviation pilots, so I have been around flying all my life. It’s my passion.”

The day includes many activities for families, including tractor rides from Biringer Farms, a free lunch and toy assembly from Arlington Flight Services and airplane model painting at the state Department of Transportation and municipal airport office.

The Historic Flight Foundation’s B-25 Mitchell will be available for rides for a fee.

The Arlington police and fire departments plan to be on hand, as do the crews of Airlift Northwest and Snohomish County Search and Rescue.

A 5K and 10K “Rescue Run” around the airport’s trail starts at 8 a.m. It is a benefit for the search and rescue helicopter, that recently lost funding. The run is hosted by the Arlington Runners Club.

Arlington Municipal Airport, the former Naval Air Station Arlington, supports the economy, too, Mensonides said.

“It’s a great community day, but we also want people to know that the city’s airport is self-sustaining,” Mensonides said. “We have a huge industrial park, with companies that manufacture parts for Boeing and build experimental aircraft.”

A 2012 economic impact study prepared by the state transportation department figured that the airport supports 566 jobs with a combined labor force income of nearly $30 million.

Hundreds of other jobs that are indirectly supported by the airport are worth an additional $17 million, Mensonides said.

With sales and services, the airport’s businesses have a $144 million share in the city’s economy, and airport visitors spend an additional $2 million a year at the airport, he said.

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

Learn more

More information about Arlington Airport Appreciation Day is available at www.arlingtonwa.gov or by calling 360-403-3471.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Olivia Vanni / The Herald 
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County.
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo mayor vetoes council-approved sales tax

The tax would have helped pay for transportation infrastructure, but was also set to give Mukilteo the highest sales tax rate in the state.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring gives the state of the city address at the Marysville Civic Center on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville council approves interim middle housing law

The council passed the regulations to prevent a state model code from taking effect by default. It expects to approve final rules by October.

x
State audit takes issue with Edmonds COVID grant monitoring

The audit report covered 2023 and is the third since 2020 that found similar issues with COVID-19 recovery grant documentation.

Bothell
Bothell man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of Marysville middle schoolers

The man allegedly sexually assaulted three students in exchange for vapes and edibles in 2022. His sentencing is set for Aug. 29.

Larsen talks proposed Medicaid cuts during Compass Health stop in Everett

Compass Health plans to open its new behavioral health center in August. Nearly all of the nonprofit’s patients rely on Medicaid.

Snohomish County Health Department Director Dennis Worsham on Tuesday, June 11, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County Health Department director tapped as WA health secretary

Dennis Worsham became the first director of the county health department in January 2023. His last day will be July 3.

Police Cmdr. Scott King answers questions about the Flock Safety license plate camera system on Thursday, June 5, 2025 in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mountlake Terrace approves Flock camera system after public pushback

The council approved the $54,000 license plate camera system agreement by a vote of 5-2.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen talks with Volunteers of America leadership to discuss the consequences of the federal cuts on Monday, June 30, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Federal cuts to LGBTQ+ youth hotline to hit Everett center

U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Everett, visited the call center Monday to discuss impacts of the cuts, including longer wait times and staff layoffs.

U.S. Rep. Suzan DelBene, right, goes over a Chinook Marsh Project map with Snohomish County Surface Water Management’s Michael Rustay, left, and Erik Stockdale, center, at the project site on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
County receives $10 million grant for floodplain management

The state Department of Ecology funding will go toward 13 projects across the county working to restore habitat and support climate resiliency.

The Washington state Capitol. (Photo by Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero/Washington State Standard)
These Washington laws take effect July 1

Fee hikes for hunting and fishing licenses, workplace protections for immigrants and… Continue reading

Everett
Everett could levy fines for non-emergency lift assists at care facilities

The ordinance intends to discourage licensed care facilities from calling 911 to perform lift assists in a non-emergency situation.

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.