The Dulles Day Festival and Plane Pull at Washington Dulles International Airport is expected to attract thousands of visitors for the airport’s annual free open house with a daylong schedule of activities, events and family fun on Sept. 17. This year’s event will feature nearly 100 teams from the community pulling two jet aircraft in a friendly competition that originated at Dulles more than 20 years ago.
The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority works to make this community event better and more engaging for all visitors each year. Views of nearby runways and taxiways provide a unique backdrop for families, aviation enthusiasts and future flyers to discover Dulles and all it has to offer while enjoying food, entertainment and activities that benefit charity.
Last year’s event raised more than $300,000 for Special Olympics Virginia and attracted about 15,000 visitors to Dulles International.
5K/10K Runway Run from 7:30 – 9:30 a.m. (for registered participants only)
Dulles Day will begin with a Run on the Runway for registered participants at 7:30 a.m., without any impacts on passenger flights at the airport. About 2,500 runners will gather behind the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum’s Udvar-Hazy Center, located off Route 28 via the Air & Space Museum Parkway exit. The course will take runners onto Dulles Runway 1-Right and past a widebody United Airlines aircraft as a picturesque backdrop.
Dulles Day Festival and Plane Pull from 10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. (public open house)
The Dulles Day Festival and Plane Pull will double the fun of past year’s events with two planes being pulled. Nearly 100 teams from companies and community organizations are expected to compete to be the fastest at pulling a full-size jet aircraft 12 feet in the shortest time. The planes, provided by FedEx and United Airlines, will be parked side-by-side for 25-person teams to pull. The team representing the Chesapeake, Virginia, Sheriff’s office will try and earn its tenth championship in a row, declaring a “decade of dominance” for a great cause.
Dulles Day is open to the public from 10:30 a.m. until 4 p.m., rain or shine. Admission is free. The plane-pull competition kicks off at 11 a.m. and will span several hours. Besides the plane pull, the festival grounds will feature many other activities for the enjoyment of all who attend:
- An “International Row” immediately inside the entrance gate with exhibits focusing on travel, hosted by Customs and Border Protection, TSA, CLEAR registered traveler, airlines and embassies.
- More than 40 current and vintage aircraft on display, including military support and cargo aircraft such as a Coast Guard C-130, Army helicopters, two United Express aircraft, trainer aircraft and numerous general aviation aircraft. View a more detailed aircraft list here.
- Classic car show with about 50 cars and motorcycles
- Airfield tours aboard the famous Dulles Mobile Lounges for $1 per rider
- 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
- Take a ride in an Airports Authority fire truck for a $5 donation to Special Olympics
- Police K-9 demonstrations scheduled for every hour beginning at 11:30 a.m.
- Food and beverages from several vendors and food trucks available for purchase. Menu items will include hot dogs, lobster rolls, fair food, tater tots, Peruvian food, Italian food, Mediterranean dishes, snow cones, ice cream, Italian ice and more.
