CONCRETE — Metallic birds are going to meet the 2,600-foot runway in Concrete this weekend.

The 25th annual “Old-Fashioned Fly-In” will take place from July 27 to 29 at the Concrete Municipal Airport. Organizer Jack Mears said pilots from all around the United States gather for the event, which brings nearly 250 aircraft town.

The gathering is the result of a small group of friends who were called together 25 years ago, Mears said.

“A fellow named Ralph Prizel had a hangar on the airport,” Mears said. “He decided to have an old-fashioned fly-in, so he called everybody he knew that had a plane, and a bunch of pilots ended up getting together.”

Now groups such as the Blackjack Squadron, a precision flying team based in Arlington, frequent the event. Mears said that squadron will likely come in around noon Saturday.

The event used to be the first fly-in around the Northwest, Mears said, but bad weather forced organizers to change the date. Now it’s on the last weekend in July every year.

He said visitors can enjoy food and festivities the entire weekend, with camping available in many places.

Also happening during the weekend is the Baker River Arts Festival in Concrete. Mears said transportation will be provided between the fly-in and the festival.

“Everybody’s welcome to it,” Mears said. “Drive in, walk in, or fly in; but come hungry.”