This is no ordinary tug of war. On Saturday, September 9, watch teams drag massive aircraft by rope at the 31st anniversary of the Dulles Day Festival and Plane Pull.
Gates to the free event open at 10:30 a.m., and the plane pulls start at 11:30 a.m. Teams of 25 must raise $2,500 each before they can grab the ropes to see who can pull an airplane 12 feet in the fastest time. The aircraft will be a FedEx Boeing 757 and United Airlines Boeing 737, both of which are 82 tons.
Expect crowds. This fun event typically draws about 12,000 people.
The Chesapeake Sheriff’s Office will look to defend its plane pull champion title. That team has won the event for the last 14 years. The deputies practice for the event by pulling a 70,000-pound fire truck, which they can do in less than 5 seconds. Last year, the deputies pulled the FedEx plane in 5.6 seconds, while the Prince William County Sheriff’s Office did it in 6.5 seconds.
The event is free to attend, but donations to the Special Olympics of Virginia are encouraged. The organization hopes to raise $500,000 over the course of the event. Last year, it raised more than $440,000 as dozens of teams competed. In the last 30 years, it has raised more than $3 million.
In addition to the plane pull, there will be static aircraft displays, a classic car show that includes motorcycles, and tours of the airfield on the Dulles Mobile Lounges. Throughout the day, enjoy live music performances and food and beverage vendors. The event ends at 4 p.m.
Kids can even participate in the fun with the kids’ truck pull. There will be face painting, balloon animals, fire truck rides, and bounce houses.
Parking will be free, or patrons can ride the Metro for $2 to the Dulles Airport Silver Line station. Shuttles will be provided to the airport.
Those in attendance will have to go through security, and no bags larger than 5 inches by 7 inches are allowed. Hats, sunscreen, and empty water bottles are allowed.
Feature image courtesy Special Olympics Virginia
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