Skagit Valley Herald / goskagit.com
Thursday, September 5, 2013 - E3
COMMUNITY LEFT: Vicky Benzing, who flies this Extra 300S, is a noted air racer in addition to her aerobatic displays. RIGHT: “Grumpy,” a World War IIvintage B-25 Mitchell bomber owned and operated by the Historic Flight Foundation of Mukilteo, will fly during Skagit Flight Fest. Liz Matzelle photo
LOOK TO THE SKIES
Vintage aircraft, aerobatic flights and more at Skagit Flight Fest Skagit Valley Herald staff
Bud and Ross Granley will offer two-aircraft aerobatic routine during the air show portion of Skagit Flight Fest.
Skagit Flight Fest, featuring an air show and flyin, will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7, at Skagit Regional Airport, 15400 Airport Drive, west of Burlington. Performers in the 90-minute aerobatics show at 1:30 p.m. include the father-and-son team of Bud and Ross Granley, “The Flying Tenor” Will Allen, and aerobatic and racing pilot Vicky Benzing. The fest will also feature displays, vendors, youth activities and more. “This is the biggest thing we do all year,” said Carl Molesworth, Port of Skagit community outreach administrator. “We are very pleased to be producing one of the last free-admission air shows in the Pacific Northwest, because we want the citizens of the Skagit Valley to enjoy and appreciate Skagit Regional Airport,” said Kevin Ware, president of the Port of Skagit board of commissioners, in a news release. “Airports are important public assets, and we are proud of the economic and recreational contributions this airport makes to our community.” Flights aboard a restored vintage B-25 aircraft will be offered Saturday. The flight includes a onehalf hour preflight with the pilot and about half an hour in the air. The cost is $495. For information or to book a flight, call 425-348-3200. Admission to the festival is free; for more information, visit portofskagit.com.