WHEN TO ARRIVE AT THE EVENT
Please arrive in the event parking lot about 1.5 hours before your scheduled 30 minutes pull window. If you do not know what this 30 minute window is for your team, please reach out to your team captain. Please remember that this window is subject to change if we get backed up but we hope we won’t! Make sure that your entire team gathers in one area of the event before presenting your group to team check in. We typically suggest that this is in the general vicinity of the team check in tent which is at the far end of the event where the planes are being pulled. Team captains should consider bringing a sign, flag or wearing something identifiable. Please remember, you have a pull window and the time is approximate and subject to change. You will get to pull after your team is fully checked in. We often get ahead or behind but you will always get to pull!
If your team does not have a scheduled pull window please reach out asap via ehead@specialolympicsva.org
PARKING AND GETTING TO THE EVENT
Parking is FREE in event parking. If you are using a GPS, you only need to put the general airport address into it. Once you arrive on airport grounds, follow the many directional signs that say “Event Parking”. After you park in the indicated garage, you will then take a free, ADA compliant shuttle to the event entrance. The ride will take 5-7 minutes.
METRO
The event is metro accessible and we encourage as many people to take the metro as possible. If taking the metro, please take the Silver Line to the Dulles airport. There will be shuttles to the event from the garage attached to the metro stop.
WHERE SHOULD I MEET MY TEAM?
Teams should find a gathering spot near the team check in tent to meet up prior to presenting themselves at team check in. Please reach out to your team captain for specific plans. Some teams have had the PLANE amazing idea of making a fun and noticeable sign. We love that!
EVENT REGISTRATION
If there are members of your team that have not yet registered, please forward them this email and let them know that they MUST register for your team at www.planepull.com prior to check in. Anyone that neglects to do this will be required to do so during the check in process which can delay your team’s participation.
TEAM CHECK IN
Team check in will be located in a large 10x50 tent near the planes being pulled at the far end of the event. You may start to present your team to check in at 30 minutes prior to the start of your pull window. Please gather as a team before presenting yourself to one of the stations at the check in tent. At team check in, each member MUST individually check in. At check-in, teams will have the opportunity to turn in all last minute donations for your team’s fundraising efforts.
WHAT IF MY TEAM IS BELOW THE MINIMUM DONATION?
If your team is below the minimum donation of $2500, please fill out the credit card authorization from in order to secure your spot on the ropes. Teams cannot pull without supporting Special Olympics Virginia at this level.
TEAM INCENTIVE PICKUP
- Team captains or their designee ONLY can pick up team incentives at three times:
- Thursday, September 12 Noon – 4 pm – Westin Washington Dulles
- Friday, September 3 Noon – 4 pm – Westin Washington Dulles
Event day at the team check in tent
The address for the Westin Washington Dulles is:
2520 Wasser Terrace Herndon VA 20171
When picking up your incentives at the Westin, please do not leave your car in the valet area at the front entrance. Free parking is available in their garage around the back of the hotel and close street parking may be available. We will be in the lobby.
Please note, teams will receive all 25 of their hats in one bag and all of their custom shirts (if they raised $5,000 by August 1) in one box. Incentives will NOT be distributed individually by Special Olympics Virginia staff and volunteers. Teams can feel free to wear their incentives to the event or just keep them as a PLANE amazing souvenir.
If your team isn’t receiving shirts, you will have the opportunity to buy them onsite at the event or you can order them online to receive post event.
PLANE PULL MEDAL
Anyone who raises $100 by Monday 9/9 night is eligible for medal. Those will be mailed out post event. For those who have not yet reached that goal, keep on fundraising this weekend to show our athletes you are pulling for them!
ENTERING THE EVENT
All team captains that come to early incentive pick up have the opportunity to pick up express entry bracelets for their team. These can be passed out to team members only so they can use an expedited entry line into the event. Please note, you MUST have this bracelet on in order to use the line. If you forget it, come with a medically required bag that needs to be searched, attend with a friend that is not on a team, etc you will not be able to utilize this line. No worries, you still will be able to get to the plane in a timely fashion! Please note, this is a perk of coming to early incentive pick up only.
CLEAR BAG POLICY
All event attendees, are required to go through security as this event is on airport property. Please do not bring any bags, outside food or drinks or animals unless it is a service animal. We continue to have a stadium bag policy. All bags over 5x7 must be CLEAR.
In addition, no weapons of any kind are allowed unless you are an officer in uniform. Bags for medical care purposes are also ok, but will be searched. All attendees will be wanded or be required to go through a magnetometer upon entering.
WHAT TO BRING/NOT BRING
What should I bring?
- A 5x7 bag or a clear bag
- Sunglasses
- Hat
- EMPTY water bottle (we will having filling stations)
- Appropriate clothing for the weather (it is a rain or shine event!)
- Work/gardening gloves for pulling the plane as we will not have ones to share.
- Money to buy lunch/snack from one of our onsite vendors and to participate in fun activities at the event that help support Special Olympics Virginia
- Cash as not all areas accept credit cards. Please note there is an ATM onsite.
- Any extra cash/check donations to add to your team's total at check in
- Lots of guests!
What should I NOT bring?
- Bags that are not clear or are large Animals (while it is an open space, the noise is too much for them!) except service animals
- Firearms or weapons of any type unless you are a sworn officer in uniform
- Outside food or drink. We will have complimentary water on site post pull and plenty of food and drinks to purchase.
POST EVENT FUNDRAISER
Did you know that our friends at Raising Canes will be having an onsite fundraiser at their Dulles area location? From noon – 6 pm September 14, 15% of sales will go back to Special Olympics Virginia if you mention this fundraiser. More details can be found on the event flyer. Now that is PLANE awesome!
MISC
If you have any further questions please check out the below pages on our event website www.planepull.com
• FAQ
• Event and Festival Info
• Public Map
Or reach out to Ellen(ehead@specialolympicsva.org) or my colleague Nicole (nkratzer@specialolympicsva.org) at any time.
Thank you so much for being PLANE awesome! I can’t wait to meet you all next Saturday!
