Neither COVID nor whims of weather was stopping this festival.
Pilots, musicians, car show participants and attendees alike enjoyed blue skies and plenty of fun at the eighth Olympic Peninsula Air Affaire and Fly-In offers.
Emily Westcott, co-organizer/founder, said it was the “best ever.”
She estimates at least 2,500 people visited at $10 per carload to see and experience helicopter, airplane and tethered balloon rides, at least 50 airplanes, classic cars, remote control airplane demonstrations and more at the Sequim Valley Airport on Aug. 28.
Pilot Keith Kossuth had so many riders signed up for flights in his 1929 Travel Air Plane that he returned on Sunday, Westcott said. Seattle Air Taxi had so much interest, they intend to bring two helicopters next year, she added.
“Everyone wanted to be outside,” Westcott said.
The Air Affaire started in 2013 as a joint celebration for the City of Sequim’s centennial and the airport’s 30th anniversary.
Along with Wing walkers Mike and Marilyn Mason of The West Coast Spin Doctors and radio-controlled airplane pilots, this year’s event included three historic planes from the Port Townsend Aero Museum, along with live music.
Next year’s event will remain one day, Westcott said. For more information, see olympicpeninsulaairaffaire.com.
Left: Kendall and nearly-2-year-old Kenna Huff of Snohomish get an up-close look at an RV-9A homebulit aircraft at the eighth Olympic Peninsula Air Affaire and Fly-In Saturday afternoon in Sequim. Right: Hugo Hurt, 3-and-a-half, of Port Townsend, gets a hand-on experience with drone and other remote-control aircraft at the eighth Olympic Peninsula Air Affaire and Fly-In Saturday afternoon in Sequim. It was his family’s first Air Affaire visit.
Norm Nelson and 10-year-old Nathan Nelson get a look at an amphibious plane outfitted with Aerocet composite floats at the eighth Olympic Peninsula Air Affaire and Fly-In Saturday afternoon in Sequim. It was his family’s first Air Affaire visit. Sequim Gazette photos by Michael Dashiell
Emily Westcott, Olympic Peninsula Air Affaire and Fly-In organizer (center), helps event attendees check in for plane rides Saturday afternoon. Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell
