Events

The Museum of Flight Gala
June 12, 2010

On Saturday, June 12, 2010, The Museum of Flight hosted a grand hangar dance to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the first flight in 1935 of the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress. The evening commemorated this great occasion with a trip back in time with an authentic old-time hangar dance, complete with a “battle of the big bands,” display of vintage aircraft on the ground and in the air, military vehicles to set the mood and a special program to pay tribute to the iconic B-17, honoring the men and women who designed, built, ferried, protected and flew her.

The 980 guests were encouraged to wear period costumes and the seated dinner menu provided by McCormick & Schmick’s was a mix of era appropriate American fare with a regional twist, focusing on the bounty of the season.

Menu highlights included:

Tray Passed Hors d’oeuvre
Fresh Asparagus on Toast with Shrimp Mousse
Devilish Egg Canapé with Truffle
Crab & Onion Tart with Chives
Bacon Wrapped Mushroom Lollipops

Seated Dinner
Salad
Bibb Lettuce, Wild Arugula & Fresh Pea Vines with Oranges, Blackberries, Pecans & Vanilla Marjoram Dressing
Entrée
Filet Mignon & Apple Marinated Salmon with Roasted Pineapple Salsa
Herb Roasted Fingerling Potatoes
Green Bean & Red Pepper Bundles
Alternating Desserts
Summer Strawberry Shortcake with Whipped Cream
Chocolate Truffle Cake with Fresh Raspberries & Raspberry Coulis

Like a B-17 military combat mission, this event required extensive planning and collaboration. It had a tremendous number of moving parts but after numerous adjustments, some improvisation and reliance on “battle-hardened” professionals who can somehow create a degree of order out of the chaos we made sure the mission was accomplished and everyone survived!