The annual "tug of war" between human and machine will take place Saturday, June 3rd from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Washington Dulles International Airport as part of the Dulles Day Family Festival featuring the 8th Annual Plane Pull.

The Plane Pull, sponsored by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Police Department, raises money for the Special Olympics Virginia where teams of twenty people take part by pulling a 145,000 pound Boeing 727 aircraft donated by Federal Express. The teams, which each donate $1,000 to the Special Olympics, work to pull the plane 12 feet by rope. Over the last seven years, the Airports Authority estimates that over $300,000 has been raised for the Special Olympics Virginia.

"This is a great opportunity for the Airports Authority to support an important program like the Special Olympics Virginia and to open the airport to the community with displays and information about the world of aviation," says James A. Wilding, President and CEO of the Airports Authority.

In addition to the Plane Pull, the ramp area at the Cargo 5 Building will be transformed into a family festival featuring exhibits, games, entertainment and activities for all ages. WRQX Mix 107.3 FM will provide entertainment, along with live music from Virginia’s own "Soul Patch." Food and beverages will be supplied by Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Pizza Hut, Dobbs and Host Marriott Services.

A car show featuring antiques, hot rods, motorcycles and other vintage vehicles will be sponsored by Rosenthal Automotive and Mobile Speedpass. There will also be a hair cut-a-thon sponsored by Hair Cuttery. Festival patrons can get $5 haircuts with 100% of the proceeds going to Special Olympics Virginia.

As part of the festival, an exhibit area which will include numerous aircraft, including military, commercial and civilian aircraft, on display to the public.

Visitors to the Dulles Day Family Festival will also find: fire and police equipment displays; airport snow removal and large equipment display; and a Kid’s Corner, sponsored by Net2000 Communications, featuring a moon bounce, ball crawl, face painting, balloon sculpturing and even an inflatable space shuttle.

The original Plane Pull – the first of its kind in the nation, was created at Dulles Airport in 1992 to raise money for Special Olympics Virginia. Similar events are now held across the country at other airports.

For more information, log onto the event web site at www.planepull.com which is also linked through the Authority web site at www.mwaa.com.

Parking for the Dulles Day is free. Follow signs on the airport which will read "Dulles Day/Plane Pull Parking."