22nd Annual Dulles Day Plane Pull Sept. 20

Thousands of visitors are expected at the Dulles Day Festival & Plane Pull and Family Festival, which kicks off this Saturday, Sept. 20 at Washington Dulles International Airport with a debut of the event’s first ever 10K race.

“Dulles Day keeps getting better each year,” said Chris Browne, Airports Authority vice president and Dulles Airport manager. “The response to last year’s debut of a 5K runway run was extremely positive last year, so we added a 10K to the event this time around.”

The Dulles Day plane pull, which began in 1993, features 70 teams of 25 people competing to pull an 82-ton FedEx Cargo Jet 12 feet in the shortest amount of time.

Now in its 22nd year, Dulles Day is an annual festival that includes live music, airplane displays, tours of the active runways, kids play areas, bounce houses, a dunk tank and much more. The event raised a record $248 last year for Special Olympics Virginia.

Highlights of this year’s event include:

• Up to 2500 participants in a 5K and 10K run beginning at 7:30 a.m.
• 70 teams for the Plane Pull event, including defending champion Chesapeake, Va., Sheriff’s Office
• More than 40 current and vintage aircrafts on display
• Classic car show with an expected 50 cars and motorcycles on display
• Airfield tours aboard the famous Dulles Mobile Lounges for $1 per person donation
• Kids’ play area with bounce houses, truck pull and dunk-a-cop tank
• “Trackless Train” running back and forth to carry attendees along the length of the site
• Equipment displays by Airports Authority Police, Fire and Rescue and Maintenance
• Airports Authority fire truck rides with a $5 donation to Special Olympics
• Police K-9 demonstrations scheduled for 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
• Two food courts with food and beverages available for purchase

To learn more about Special Olympics Virginia, visit planepull.com or call 703-359-4301. Planepull.com also offers a Dulles Day event map and parking guide.