Published July 2003

50,000 expected to attend Arlington’s annual fly-in

Snohomish County Business Journal/JOHN WOLCOTT At last year’s EAA Fly-In, a B-25 bomber was among the aircraft on display at the Arlington Airport. Dozens of military, experimental and vintage planes are expected to be on display during this year’s fly-in, which runs from July 9 to 13.

By John Wolcott
SCBJ Editor

Warbirds, private planes and hot-air balloons will be major attractions at the Arlington Airport’s annual Pacific Northwest Experimental Aviation Association air show July 9 to 13, now the nation’s third-largest general aviation fly-in event.

More than 50,000 visitors are expected during the five-day event, which will take place at a 96-acre site at the northwest corner of the airfield. Campers, motor homes and other recreation vehicles will have their own parking spaces, with the runway area reserved for as many as 1,500 aircraft flying to the air show.

Dozens of military, experimental and vintage planes will be on display; aviation forums will provide presentations that attract both pilots and history buffs; and there will be dozens of food booths and more than 150 aviation-product vendors.

This year’s displays include a South Pacific Theme, featuring a B-25, a Corsair and a Japanese Zero, plus World War II military vehicles. Forum topics will feature former Tuskeegee airmen and their World War II adventures, as well as presentations by former Women Air Force Service Pilots.

Daily air shows will include aerobatic performers such as Bob Hoover, Patty Wagstaff and Delmar Benjamin. The nearly three-hour shows include fly-bys of restored World War II fighters and bombers.

Barbara Tolbert, executive director of the EAA Fly-In, has seen the original “pilots only” gathering grow to become the largest general aviation air show west of the Mississippi, and the third largest in the country — behind AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wis., and Sun ‘n Fun in Lakeland, Fla.

“I knew that to really succeed and grow, this air show needed national publicity,” said Tolbert, who has been at the helm for nine years. Led by her promotion efforts, the event now attracts participants and visitors from nearly 40 states and foreign countries each year.

The air show has gained broad support in the community from the city of Arlington, the Arlington and Smokey Point chambers of commerce and such groups as the Northwest Experimental Aviation Association, Heritage Flight Museum, the Cascade Warbirds and others. During the week, the Arlington Festival’s events also offer bands, vendors and entertainment for the air-show crowds.

Tolbert said the air show now has a $400,000 budget and brings an estimated $3 million into the local economy. She and her staff of three work year-around to organize the event, but nearly 800 community volunteers provide additional help during the air show.

For more information about this year’s Arlington EAA Fly-In, visit the event’s Web site, www.nweaa.org.

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