Celebrate Wings, Wheels at Tacoma Narrows Airport

Get warmed up for Fourth of July and attend the Freedom Fair Wings and Wheels event at the Tacoma Narrows Airport on Sun., July 3 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. This event will feature aircraft displays, fly-bys, helicopters, motorcycles, a custom bike show, race cars, a bicycle rally and hot rods. Visitors will see a B-17, a B-25, an AV8-B Harrier Jump Jet and a DC-3 Stearman, among others. 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. If you want to sign up to fly aboard the B-17 Sentimental Journey or the B-25 Maid in the Shade, e-mail rides@azcaf.org or call (480) 322-5503 for availability and prices.

There will be several food booths and for those ages 21 and older, a beer garden. You can ride your bike to the event as part of the bicycle rally, but if you prefer to drive, free parking is available on the street and at the south end of the airport. Signage and volunteers will direct drivers. Admission for the event is $12 for adults and $5 for children (ages 7 to 17). Ages 6 and under get in free. You can also purchase tickets in advance and get more information at freedomfair.com.

Residents around the airport can expect some air noise during the event due to fly-bys and fly-ins. The airport will remain open for normal operations, with the exception of a 30-minute airspace closure. A Federal Aviation Administration NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) alert for aircraft operators has been requested and is anticipated to be published in advance with the exact time of the airspace closure.

This is the first year the Tacoma Narrows Airport will host Wings and Wheels. Tacoma Narrows Airport (designator TIW) is located at 1202 26th Ave. NW in Gig Harbor. It is a 644-acre general aviation airport purchased in 2008 by Pierce County. The airport is operated by Pierce County Public Works and Utilities.