05/03/2007: "“Aerofest San Juan” In Planning Stage"

Planning is well under way by the San Juan Pilots Association (SJPA) to hold what is intended to be an annual fund raising event at the Friday Harbor Airport for the John Volk Memorial Scholarship Fund.

John Geyman, of the SJPA, said the “First Annual Aerofest San Juan” (AASJ) is scheduled for August 11th, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and said that while it will be pattered after other annual fly-ins common to other airports, it will also serve an education purpose on the importance, and the role, that aviation plays in the county, and in particular on San Juan Island.

While Aerofest San Juan will be aviation oriented, with a display of airplanes, such as Island Air’s med evac, Roy Franklin’s Stinson gull wing, and will offer biplane and helicopter rides, the event will also be used to raise money for the Volk Scholarship fund.

The San Juan Island Community Foundation (SJICF), a local private non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, will accept donations on behalf of the John Volk Scholarship Fund, while admission tickets will sell for $5.00 (kids under 12 for free), with meal tickets going for $10 ($5 for kids). It is planned to seat up to 80 people at a time, and provide chairs for 120.

Some of the events that may be available range from a National Geographic film on local residents Ken and Suzanne Franklins falcon, to table displays by Island Air, Westwind Aviation, the San Juan Eagles, Airlift Northwest, and local authors of aviation books. There are also programs designed with the kids (and perhaps an adult or two), such as a paper airplane contest; and there will be professional built models, and radio-controlled models on display. And of course one will be able to buy a t-shirt.

The planned event still has to receive the official blessing of the Friday Harbor Port Commission, and a presentation and discussion is scheduled for the next regularly scheduled meeting.