THE PLANE PULL- a Heavy Fundraiser
The Dulles Day Festival & Plane Pull® is Special Olympics Virginia’s “heaviest” fundraiser, pitting teams of 25 against one another to see who can pull a 164,000+ pound Airbus 12 feet the fastest. Teams must raise a minimum of $1250 to participate – that’s just $50 per person – and all proceeds help Special Olympics Virginia provide year-round training and athletic competition to more than 11,000 athletes of all ages.
Twenty years ago, Retired Deputy Chief Joe Hurtuk, now fondly referred to as the "father" of the Plane Pull, dreamed up the idea to pit man against machine in an effort to raise money for Special Olympics. His dream came to life in 1993 when the first-ever Plane Pull in the world was held at Dulles International Airport, with just 11 teams participating. Those 11 teams, led by some of our law enforcement volunteers, raised almost $15,000 – and started a plane-pulling phenomenon. Who would have guessed that someone’s crazy idea to pit man against machine would skyrocket into a major fundraising venture for Special Olympics programs throughout the country?
The Dulles Day Festival & Plane Pull® has since raised more than $1,600,000 for athletes with intellectual disabilities throughout Virginia. Today, similar Plane Pulls are held throughout the year in Colorado, Maryland, Hawaii, Tennessee and Texas. The event is so popular, in fact, that Special Olympics has the registered trademark on all Plane Pulls® that take place!
If pulling a plane seems just a bit beyond your reach – how about a truck? The Kids Truck Pull pits teams of children against a big red 123JUNK truck; the team who pulls the truck 12 feet the fastest wins. Each child must raise a minimum of $10 to compete and will receive a t-shirt.
The Dulles Day Festival & Plane Pull®, presented by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, also features live music, a car show, military and civilian aircraft displays, business exhibits, and children’s games and entertainment. Event admission and parking are free. Gates open Saturday at 10:30 am, with event festivities beginning at 11 am; gates close at 3:45 pm, with festivities ending at 4 pm. Please note: no backpacks, coolers or pets will be allowed.
WHERE?
- From 495, take exit VA-267 (toll road) West toward Dulles Airport
- After approximately 5 miles, exit via ramp at sign reading “Dulles Airport”
- Continue onto the Dulles Airport Access Road
- Once on airport grounds, exit via first ramp at sign reading “Rental Car Return and Services” onto Rudder Road
- Continue straight, crossing Autopilot Way, into Plane Pull parking
WHEN?
Saturday September 14, 2013
WHERE To Stay?
Embassy Suites Dulles Airport13341 Woodland Park Road Herndon, VA 20171703-464-0200
All guests attending DUlles Day Festival and Plane Pull enjoy:
- Free cooked to order breakfast
- Two Room Suite
- Complimentary drinks at evening reception
- Airport Shuttle service
- Hotel shuttle in three mile radius of hotel
- Free High Speed Internet Access
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