Wings and Wheels a soaring success

Not many events give guests the opportunity to sip craft ale while admiring classic hotrods as airplanes soar overhead, seemingly close enough to touch. The Monroe Police Department's Wings and Wheels event offered that and more.

Coordinated by Officer Derrick Lether, the first ever Wings and Wheels Car Show benefiting Special Olympics took place Saturday, Sept. 10, at First Air Field in Monroe. Hosted by First Air owner Daryl Habich and sponsored by Monroe's Big Box Outlet Store, the family-friendly event featured live music, $10 airplane rides with the opportunity to drop a "flour bomb,GÇ¥ food, vendors, kids' activities and a car, truck and motorcycle show with the opportunity to win prizes.

Roughly 60 vehicles rolled in to participate in the car show, including a variety of muscle cars and rare hotrods. Seahawks-themed vehicles belonging to the Wheels of Boom car club celebrated the fact that Seahawks season would be kicking off the next day.

Lether said the event definitely exceeded his expectations, and he's grateful to all that participated.

"It turned out way better than I was hoping,GÇ¥ he said.

To help enhance the event and give it a unique edge, Habich organized an activity called the "flour bomb.GÇ¥ For $10, guests of all ages were given the chance to fly above the event in an airplane. A circular target was drawn onto the runway, and flour bombers were given plastic Ziploc bags filled with flour. The goal of the "flour bombGÇ¥ challenge was to see if the passenger could time their toss just right, dropping the bag out of the airplane and exploding it in the target.

Lether said he really appreciated everything Habich did to help make the event a success.-á

"Daryl was gracious enough to open his entire property to us,GÇ¥ Lether said. "We really appreciate his support.GÇ¥

All funds raised during Wings and Wheels will be donated to Special Olympics.

Local musician Austin Dunn warmed up the crowd for headliner Hard Knocks "n' Country, a four-piece ensemble that has been performing together for about six months. So far, the band has made a bit of a splash in Snohomish County, playing at places like Dreadnought Brewing in Monroe and the Monroe Farm to Table Farmers Market.

They packed the house during a recent evening at the historic Oxford Saloon in Snohomish; the bar offered standing-room only as guests flocked to the crowded dance floor.

Hard Knocks has both local and law enforcement ties. The lead singer, Mike Lisenby, was with the Monroe Police Department for about 3 1/2 years before accepting a job with the Kirkland Police Department in 2010. Lisenby, who lives in the Tualco area with his wife and baby daughter, said he misses his former coworkers, so the opportunity to perform at Wings and Wheels was a welcome one.

"I miss everybody,GÇ¥ Lisenby said. "The people here are great.GÇ¥

Lisenby serves on the regional Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team, which Monroe is a part of, so he's able to stay in touch with some of his former colleagues, he said. It was Detective Spencer Robinson who approached him about playing at Wings and Wheels.

Lisenby founded Hard Knocks with his coworker in Kirkland, Doug Miller, who plays the drums. He then reached out to guitarist Brad Cotton, familiar with his guitar playing because the two perform together in the worship band at Monroe's Cascade Church. The three started rehearsing and eventually rounded out the band with Tim Fernley, who plays bass.

The band focuses on danceable covers, but may eventually delve into originals, Lisenby said.

"Down the road, we may try to get into writing stuff, but right now we just want people to have fun and enjoy familiar songs,GÇ¥ he said.

Food was provided by Sahara Pizza Monroe, with dessert by Dashing Dutchman's Deli co-owner Susan Whitfield and Monroe's Yoforit Frozen Yogurt. Locally brewed craft beers were available from Dreadnought Brewing and Twin Rivers Brewing, both Monroe-based breweries.

Lether said he is looking forward to an even bigger event next year. -á -á

For more information about Hard Knocks "n' Country, visit www.facebook.com/hardknocksncountry.