Superheroes Iron Man, Captain America, Hulk and Thor regularly come together to fight crime. Although humans don’t naturally possess super powers, you would be amazed at what a group of individuals can do when they put their minds—and muscles—together to accomplish a goal. Why not see what you and 25 of your strongest sidekicks of friends and coworkers can pull? Does a 164,000+ pound Airbus sound like a big enough challenge? Then join together at Dulles International Airport Sept. 22 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the 20th annual Dulles Day Family Festival and Plane Pull®, benefiting Special Olympics Virginia.
Teams of 25 will compete to see who can pull the airplane 12 feet the fastest. Teams must raise a minimum of $1,250—that’s just $50 a person—to participate. Threatened by the possibility that a 164,000+ pound machine will prevail? Have no fear! Prizes also will be awarded to the teams who raise the most money, teams who show the most enthusiasm, the lightest and the heaviest teams, and even the slowest team.
Perhaps you’re a superhero in training? The Kids Truck Pull provides a fun challenge for our youngest fans to test their strength. Teams of eight will compete to see who can pull the big, red 123JUNK truck 12 feet the fastest. To participate, you must raise or donate a minimum of $10/person. All participants will receive a Plane Pull T-shirt; a prize also will be awarded to the person who raises the most money.
Don’t have the muscles to pull a plane or truck—that’s OK! You can still join us as a volunteer, an event sponsor, an event exhibitor or even as a “fan” of Special Olympics Virginia. The Dulles Day Family Festival and Plane Pull®, presented by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority and Cisco, also will feature live music, a car show, military and civilian aircraft displays, business exhibits, and a special Kids Zone. There is no charge to enter the festival, although donations are appreciated. All attendees over 18 will receive a door prize ticket for the chance to win a “weighty” prize.
Since the first-ever Plane Pull was held in 1993 at Dulles International Airport, Special Olympics Virginia has raised more than $1.5 million for athletes with intellectual disabilities throughout the state, and also started a worldwide plane-pulling phenomenon. Today, similar Plane Pulls are held throughout the year in Colorado, Maryland, Hawaii, Tennessee and Texas. The Plane Pull is a Law Enforcement Torch Run event; the Torch Run, sponsored by SunTrust and Enterprise, unites law enforcement across the Commonwealth to raise funds and awareness for Special Olympics Virginia.
For more information, to register your team, sign up to exhibit or volunteer, or for sponsorship details, visit www.planepull.com or call 703-359-4301. For media questions, contact Holly Claytor at 804-726-3025/hclaytor@specialolympicsva.org.