Have you ever looked up and felt like the sky was inviting you into something more?
That feeling is part of everyday life at Harvey Airfield. It is a place where history, family legacy, and adventure all share the same sky. On any given day, you might see planes taking off, skydivers drifting back to earth, or hot air balloons rising slowly above the valley like floating lanterns.
Harvey Airfield is more than a runway. It is a family story that traces its roots back to the mid-1800s when John Harvey and his wife Christina settled along the Snohomish River. Their homestead eventually grew into something far beyond farmland.
In 1944, Noble Harvey, his son Eldon, and their friend Wesley Loback, turned that land into Snohomish Airfield. It began with a grass runway and a few hangars, but quickly grew into a hub for flight training, community gatherings, and aviation adventure. A restaurant, maintenance shop, and flight school followed. It became a place where people did not just pass through - they stayed and built memories.
Over time, the airfield remained in the Harvey family. Eldon and Marjorie helped run it for decades, and the generations that followed carried it forward. That steady family presence is part of what makes Harvey Airfield so unique, being one of the few privately family run airfields in the region.
The airfield now spans more than 100 acres and supports a wide range of aviation activity. Pilots train here, skydivers launch into open skies, and visitors gather to watch the rhythm of flight. It is a place that feels alive with movement and possibility.
But one of the most memorable Harvey Airfield experiences does not occur on the runway. It happens quietly, as hot air balloons rise into the sky.
Hot air ballooning has deep roots in Snohomish, becoming part of the airport scene in 1986. Donna Harvey, the family history specialist, shared that her sister, Marilyn Harvey, owned and operated Aerial Hot Air Balloon Company, right across from the airfield, for 30 years, helping shape ballooning into a lasting part of the local landscape. The wide open fields and sweeping views of the Snohomish Valley made it a natural fit for flight. Today, balloon rides remain a signature experience in the area, drawing visitors from all over.
The hot air balloon experience is peaceful and unlike any other form of flight. There are no engines, only the occasional burst of flame from the burner and the sound of wind guiding the journey. Each flight is shaped entirely by the breeze, and no two paths are never the same.
On July 25, Harvey Airfield will once again host the Kla Ha Ya Days Balloon Glow, one of the most cherished events in the community.
Donna described it simply and warmly. “It is just a really nice community thing. People can sit out, enjoy the weather, spend time with their family, and just take it all in,” she said.
At Harvey Airfield, that sense of wonder is still alive. History and adventure meet in the same open sky. A family legacy continues to grow with every generation that touches this land. For those who visit, it becomes more than a place - it becomes a feeling.
Whether you are watching planes take off, learning to fly, or drifting above the valley in a balloon, Harvey Airfield reminds us that exploration does not always mean escaping your surroundings. Sometimes, it is waiting right in your own backyard. All you have to do is look up.
For more information about Harvey Airfield, visit their website at harveyfield.com.
Upcoming Community Events at Harvey Airfield
July 15-19: Kla Ha Ya Days Carnival
Snohomish’s good, old fashioned summer fair. Details can be found at: klahayadays.com
July 25: Kla Ha Ya Days Balloon Glow
Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind summer tradition with live music from Antwane Tyler, a variety of food trucks, a vendor fair, a kid zone, and the hot air balloon glow at dusk. Tickets can be purchased at: snohomishblockparty.org
August 14-15: Snohomish Block Party
A two-day outdoor music festival featuring classic hits, funk, and rock tribute bands; plus a large vendor fair, food trucks, beer and cocktails, and activities for all ages. Tickets can be purchased at: snohomishblockparty.org