Photo credit: Olympic Flight Museum
Twenty years ago, the Olympic Flight Museum first hosted The Gathering of the Warbirds “fly-in” at the Olympia Regional Airport. In 2001, the Olympic Air Show was born and has grown into an exciting annual celebration for the whole family.
This year, see the WWII era B-25D Liberator Bomber “Grumpy,” and even take a flight as a passenger. For this paid group experience, guests can sign-up ahead of time for each ride. Those interested in signing up can do so by contacting the Olympic Flight Museum: 360.705.3925
Olympic Flight Museum neighbors at Glacier Aviation will also offer helicopter rides. Plus, a “Harleys and Hotrods” vintage car show is free with admission to the air show.
The Olympic Air Show includes an awe-inspiring routine by Sky-Dancer Anna Serbinenko. Imagine a graceful, elegant ballet performance set to music, except instead of a person it’s a classic airplane spiraling through the sky.
Photo credit: Olympic Flight Museum
“I’ve never seen anything like that before,” says Sarah Hinman, Olympic Flight Museum executive director. “I’m looking forward to watching her and meeting her.” Guests can meet Anna and get autographs after the show.
On Saturday only, catch a new aerobatic performance by Jim Bourke in his custom Extra 330SC, a Curtiss P-40C Tomahawk courtesy of Flying Heritage and Combat Armor Museum.
Kids and adults alike will love watching the planes take over the sky. Kid-friendly activities include a paintball booth, and other fun provided by the Hands On Children’s Museum. There will also be plenty of delicious food vendors, including Big Daddies Concessions and BC Frozen Treats, a beer garden by Columbia Distributing, and music by the classic-rock band Backlash.
Save time to see the displays in the museum too. The Olympic Flight Museum is open to visitors year round, Tuesdays through Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
While the Olympic Air Show is the museum’s largest event, it is not their only one. In February, they also have a paper-airplane flight school for kids, as well as a bi-annual military collectible sale. Vendors come to sell vintage military equipment, attire, and other artifacts. The museum also offers facility rentals for private events.
The Olympic Air Show takes place on June 16 and 17 and goes from 9:00 a.m. to about 5:00 p.m. Opening ceremonies begin at 12:00 p.m.
Photo credit: Olympic Flight Museum
If you haven’t been before, this year’s 20th-anniversary event is not to miss. A great way to see unique, vintage aircraft from the 1940s, ’50s and ’60s, it is the first air show of the summer and is one of few other flying events in the state.
For tickets and other information, visit the Olympic Flight Museum website or call 360-705-3925.
Olympic Flight Museum
7637-A Old Hwy 99, SE Olympia
Tuesdays – Sundays: 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
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