Bush Pilot

In Anchorage on the 4th? Swing (or fly) by Lake Hood

If you are flying around on Monday, July 4, don't miss the Alaska Aviation Museum's Great Alaskan Salmon Bake & Fly-By. This year's fundraiser event will feature a champion dog musher and aircraft fly-bys over the Lake Hood facility as part of the Independence Day festivities.

"This is a family event that everyone can enjoy," said Shari Hart, marketing director for the Anchorage-based Aviation Museum. "We will have live music by the Carhartt Brothers, a buffet of salmon, burgers and hotdogs, and a no-host beer and wine garden for the adults."

The Salmon Bake will be held on July 4, from 1-6 p.m. at 4721 Aircraft Drive on the south shore of Lake Hood and is sponsored by Ellis Racing Sled Dogs, Neeser Construction, 10th & M Seafoods, Royal Celebrity Tours and the Odom Corporation.

Aerial fly-bys by George Pappas in his highly modified Globe Swift, Trans-Northern's Super DC-3, Chuck Miller's AT-6 and other large aircraft buzz jobs will be the highlight of the afternoon aviation events.

"Chuck Miller's AT­6 is a beautiful bird and it will make some screaming fly-bys, " said Dick Benner, who is in charge of aircraft maintenance at the museum.

All museum exhibits and hangars will be open for general public viewing, according to museum officials.

Alaska dog mushing celebrities Egil Ellis and Helen Lundberg will be available to meet and discuss Sprint Dog Mushing.

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Ellis is the current champion of the Anchorage Fur Rendezvous World Championship, five time Triple Crown winner has won the North American Dog Sled Championship 11 times.

The event will also feature book signings -- "We will have three authors doing book signings and a great silent auction with everything from flights with Rust's Flying Service to artwork! Definitely something for everyone!" said Hart.

Tickets for this annual fundraiser are $30 for adults and $15 for children. To purchase your tickets in advance call 907-248-5325.

Contact Rob Stapleton at robstapleton(at)alaska.net.

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