ARLINGTON — The city of Arlington invites the community to the return of its annual Airport Appreciation Day on May 7 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The EAA Young Eagles Program will provide free airplane rides for children aged 8-17.

There are many activities for the entire family planned, including a wide array of aircraft owned by Arlington Airport tenants, as well as tours of the Arlington Airlift helicopter. The Washington State Department of Transportation’s Aviation Division will host a “paint an airplane” booth. Glider and helicopter rides will be available from local operators. The Arlington Fire Department will be on site with fire trucks on display. Other activities will include face painting and a live art demonstration. Tractor rides to tour the airport’s businesses will be offered. A Zumba class will be held at noon.

Following the activities hosted by the city of Arlington, there will be a celebration of the Arlington Airport’s status as the “Most Female-Pilot-Friendly Airport in the World” runner-up for 2011. Those festivities begin at 5 p.m. at the NASA restaurant.

For more information regarding the Airport Appreciation Day, please visit the city of Arlington’s website at www.arlingtonwa.gov or call 360-403-3471. The Arlington Airport office, located at 18204 59th Drive NE, is the site for the event.