Wings and Wheels to Kick off Holiday Weekend at Tacoma Narrows Airport

The organizers of the inaugural event are flying high as the final preparations fall into place for the big day at the .

The event, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on July 3, coincides with the annual Freedom Fair the next day on Commencement Bay. It will feature aircraft displays, fly-bys, a car and motorcycle show, a bicycle rally and hot rods at the airport, 1202 26th Ave. NW in Gig Harbor.

And, most importantly to aviation enthusiasts, attendees have the opportunity to get a close-up look at a B-17, B-25, AV8-B Harrier Jump Jet and DC-3 Stearman, among others.

“This is the first time we have done a big aviation event at the Tacoma Narrows Airport in close to 20 years,” said festival organizer Doug Miller of the Tacoma Events Commission. “We’ve got a lot of aircraft that will be on display that will be participating in our Freedom Fair air show on the Fourth.”

Miller said that what makes this event different is that not only do people get to tour the inside of some World War II aircraft but they also have the opportunity to buy a flight in some of them.

“The cool thing (about riding in the B-17) is that you get to rotate through the different battle stations on the bomber – the lookout, the bombardier, the race-gunner – so you get a chance to see a lot inside the plane as its flying.”

There will also be rides available in helicopters and private planes. Prices are set by each operator.

Bill Kauffman, a board member of the Tacoma Events Commission, has been involved with the Freedom Fair for more than a decade, and said that the July 4 celebration is “a daylong party – and it’s on the waterfront.

“There’s nothing else like it on all of Puget Sound.”

The Wings and Wheels event was born of enthusiasm for the aviation element of the fair.

“People just love airplanes,” he said. “They always fly over Freedom Fair, but this is a place where you can actually see and touch them.”

Attendees will also get to see the jet dragster Smoke ‘N’ Thunder, which Miller said has not been seen much in this area.

Built with a Navy aircraft jet engine, “It’s going to make a run down the runway at 300 mph or so,” he said. “It’s quite a spectacular experience.”

The Blue Harrier Jump Jet, which will be on display, gets more requests than the Blue Angels, but does not fly often, he said. It will participate in the Fourth of July celebration over Commencement Bay, though.

Bud and Ross Granley, pilots of Yak-18T and Yak-55, and Tim Weber, pilot of the Geico Extra 300, will be available for autographs and photo opportunities.

Miller said that the wheels element of the event includes a car and motorcycle show, which he hopes members of the public will enter. The $25 entry fee includes admission to the event, and registration is available through the event’s website.

“We’re inviting people who have a show-quality car to come out,” he said.

There will be several food booths and a beer garden for those over 21, a kids’ fun zone and live music by Shambala (Three Dog Night Tribute), Big Squeezy, and Wings & Things (Paul McCartney Tribute).

General admission is $12 for adults and $5 for children ages 7-17. Those under 6 get in free.