SEQUIM — Skydivers and daredevils will fill the skies above Sequim this weekend during the 2015 Olympic Peninsula Air Affaire.
That is, if the weather cooperates.
The National Weather Service forecasts a 70 percent chance of rain Saturday with a possibility for showers Sunday.
“I am hoping that doesn’t happen,” said Emily Westcott, co-organizer of the event.
While the event will proceed rain or shine, some events could be canceled because of wet weather, she added.
The Air Affaire will take flight at Sequim Valley Airport, 468 Dorothy Hunt Lane, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Admission will be $5 per carload.
The air show — now in its third year — will feature hair-raising stunts, classic cars and live music, organizers promise.
Annual tradition
An estimated 3,000 people attended the inaugural Air Affaire in 2013, with another 5,000 in 2014.
“We tried it that first year, and it went so well, we decided to make it an annual event,” said Andy Sallee, airport president.
Sallee hopes the Air Affaire becomes a longstanding tradition.
“It is a lot of work, but it is a lot of fun, too,” he said.
“This teaches people all about aviation and shows many aspects of general aviation to the public.
“We thought Sequim needed something that was aviation-oriented that families could enjoy,” he added. “And it is a lot of fun.”
Sallee said he enjoys the opportunity to showcase the airport, the world of aviation and the Sequim-Dungeness Valley.
Balloon rides
Balloon launches are slated to begin at 7 a.m. both Saturday and Sunday, weather permitting.
Captain Crystal Stout, a hot air balloon pilot and Air Affaire co-organizer, will offer balloon rides for a fee.
For more information or to reserve a ride,call 360-601-2443 or email airboss@nwplace.com.
Events both days
From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days, activities include a fly-in, a static and experimental airplane show, wing walking, aerial demonstrations, airplane rides, a car show, a radio-controlled aircraft display, refreshments, vendors and live music.
At 10 a.m. Saturday, the Diamond Point Swift Formation is scheduled to perform maneuvers with a trailing smoke display.
“There is a group of about five of them, and they fly in formation, blow out smoke and make about three turns,” Westcott said. “They are cool.”
Skydivers are tentatively scheduled to jump in the late morning both days, with wing-walking demonstrations by Mike and Marilyn Mason of West Coast Spin Doctors in Sequim slated for the early afternoon Saturday and Sunday.
Moon Glow
At 8 p.m. Saturday, hot air balloons will be part of a Moon Glow in which their burners are turned on to light up the balloons while they are firmly secured on land.
Live music is planned during the Moon Glow, Westcott said.
At 1 p.m. Sunday, the Coast Guard will demonstrate the use of one of its helicopters.
“They are going to do touch-and-goes for us,” Westcott said.
Radio Control Show
The fifth annual Radio Control Show and Fun Fly-In will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday in conjunction with the Air Affaire.
“We have a huge remote-controlled [aircraft] area that kids just love,” Westcott said.
The show will feature static model aircraft displays, flight demos and prize drawings.
All Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) pilots are welcome to fly during the event.
To participate, bring a radio-controlled aircraft and present a current AMA card and a $5 donation to attendees. The donations will benefit Volunteer Hospice of Clallam County.
For more information, call 360-681-0506 or 360-681-6042.
Car show
A classic car show will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday with an award ceremony at 2 p.m.
The entry fee is $10.
A Volkswagen car show is slated Sunday.
For more information, contact George March at march@olypen.com or 360-417-0676.
Free rides for veterans
The Ageless Aviation Dreams Foundation, a nonprofit organization established and dedicated to honoring seniors and U.S. military veterans, will be at the Air Affaire to provide flights for veterans, especially those living in long-term-care communities.
The veterans will be taken up in a Boeing-Stearman biplane, the same aircraft used to train many military aviators in the 1940s.
For more information, go to www.agelessaviationdreams.org.
For more information about the Air Affaire, phone 360-670-6294 or visit www.olympicpeninsulaairaffaire.com.
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Sequim-Dungeness Valley Editor Chris McDaniel can be reached at 360-681-2390, ext. 5052, or at cmcdaniel@peninsuladailynews.com.
