Photographer Francis Zera got into precise position and captured these great images:

Photographer Francis Zera was there, and put together this slideshow and time-lapse video.

Click to Play Francis Zera’s Photo Slideshow

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click to Play Michael Brunk’s SoundSlideshow

In the Forklift Rodeo, drivers were required to use expert forklift operating skills to negotiate a driving course that included various tasks and hazards. Contestants were evaluated on the “safe, efficient, skillful and proper completion of the course using accepted forklift operation standards.”

The top five individual competitors from this competition will advance to the final competition to be held at the 2009 Governor’s Industrial Safety and Health Conference.

The Forklift Rodeo was presented by The Material Handling Panel of the Governor’s Industrial Safety & Health Advisory Board and the Department of Labor & Industries.

More than 200 people showed up to support the teams and help raise money.

Team JTAC, of the Washington Air National Guard, won the tournament, pulling a Cessna Citation 550 for 100 feet and a Cessna 402 for 75 feet in a total of 22.68 seconds.

BIG Hair & 80’s Rock were the top fundraising team, raising a grand total of $9,125.

Here’s a Slideshow of the event, as Photographed by Lucas Westcoat:

Click to View Lucas Westcoat’s Photo Slideshow

There’s still time to get involved in “The BIG Plane Pull – The TOURNAMENT!” fundraiser benefiting Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound this Saturday, July 18th from 11am to 2pm at Boeing Field.

And we’re pleased to report that this event, which is expected to raise about $50,000, will be hosted by the B-Town Blog’s very own Bart Bryan (to see Bart nearly naked in action, click here)!

About 50 teams consisting of five participants each will compete in a single elimination tournament. Teams will race against each other to cross the finish line all while pulling an airplane by rope!

Additional activities include trivia, a raffle and a free BIG Bracket Challenge to add to everyone’s chances of winning prizes, including roundtrip tickets on Horizon Air.

Here are some of the catchy names of teams who will be participating:

• Secret Bandwidth Agents (sponsor team)
• Get ‘Er Done (sponsor team)
• The Lambda’s (sponsor team)
• YPC Movers & Shakers
• Apollo
• Team JTAC (National Guard Team)
• Jenny and the Jets
• Jefferson Airplane
• Purple Pullverizers
• I’ve Pulled Bigger
• BIG Hair & 80’s Rock!

For more information, please feel free to contact Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound by calling 206.763.9060, or visit their website: www.bbbsps.org.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound will be holding their BIG Plane Pull Tournament at Boeing Field on Saturday, July 18th.

As they like to say: “Pull a plane. Make a difference.”

So get your gloves on, start practicing tug-of-war on the third runway, and get ready for an unusual, fun fundraiser.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound BIG Plane Pull. Imagine you and your closest friends and co-workers coming together, combining your strengths for the ULTIMATE plane pulling tournament! (Truly, the only plane pulling competition in Seattle!) Be BIG! Be MIGHTY! Pull a plane!

WHEN: Saturday, July 18th

WHERE: Boeing Field, located at 7277 Perimeter Road, Seattle.

INFO: How it works: Teams consisting of five participants will compete in a single elimination tournament. Using a lottery method to establish the first round of the official bracket, match-ups will consist of two teams racing against each other to cross the finish line – all while pulling an airplane by rope. The winning team of each match-up will move on to the next round in the competition. Additional activities, including trivia, a raffle and a free BIG Bracket Challenge will supplement the main event (and add to everyone’s chances to win prizes!).

PRIZES: Each member on the team crowned as the tournament champions will win a roundtrip airline ticket, courtesy of Horizon Air! Roundtrip tickets will also be awarded to the team with the best fundraising! There is no shortage of other prizes, either. The BIG Plane Pull will honor teams with the top three winners, most spirited teams and best costumes.

WHY: Your participation makes a difference. The one-to-one mentoring model at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound is simple, yet highly effective. We match a child (a Little) with a caring adult (a Big), and together we change lives. Our Littles are significantly less likely to skip school, use violence to solve problems, abuse drugs and alcohol or become involved with the juvenile justice system. Time and again, our approach has been proven by studies to be successful in both the short and the long term.

COST: All you need to do to participate is raise $250…that’s like asking 10 people for $25! Once registered, you will find online tools, such as a webpage, that simplify your fundraising efforts. And we’re always here to offer fundraising support when you need it.

REGISTER: To register yourself or your team for the BIG Plane Pull, please visit www.bbbsps.org. For more event information, please contact Jenny Pinter at jenny.pinter@bbbs.org.

Teams of 20 people or less donate a collective $5,000 in support of Big Brothers Big Sister of Puget Sound to pull a major aircraft 20-50 feet by rope at King County International Airport’s 80th Anniversary Celebration.

So come join the fun at Boeing Field, King County International Airport, located at 7277 Perimeter Road in Seattle, and help raise important funds to fulfill our vision of providing a mentor for every child who needs or wants one.

Is your team up for the challenge?

• Sign up online here!
• Donate to a Plane Pull participant

Or to register or donate offline, please use the links below:

• Plane Pull Registration Form
• Plane Pull Offline Donation Form

For more information about The BIG Plane Pull, please contact Suzanne Sullivan at (206) 763-9060 x211 or suzanne.sullivan@bbbs.org

For information about sponsorships, please contact Peter Retzlaff at (206) 763-9060 x213 or  peter.retzlaff@bbbs.org.

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