The Wenatchee Valley shares a robust Sister City relationship with Misawa, Japan, inspired by a major moment in aviation history.

1931: The Flight

In October 1931, American pilots Clyde Pangborn and Hugh Herndon took off from a beach in Misawa, Japan in their orange plane, the Miss Veedol, to attempt the first nonstop flight across the Pacific Ocean. After more than 41 hours in the air and several risky decisions including dropping the landing gear mid-flight to save weight, they successfully landed on their belly in East Wenatchee. The flight made headlines around the world and forever connected the two communities.

To learn more about this incredible historic event, visit our partner organization The Spirit of Wenatchee: www.missveedol.org.

1981: The Sister City Relationship

Fifty years later in 1981, that connection led to the official start of the Sister City relationship when a group from North Central Washington visited Misawa to sign the agreement. They were welcomed with traditional Japanese hospitality, including cultural activities, sightseeing, and shared meals. Since then, both cities have exchanged delegation visits every year, often timing the delegations to participate in important community festivals.

The annual delegation exchanges between the Wenatchee Valley and Misawa, Japan are a key part of the Sister City mission to create connection and understanding through cultural experiences. Consider becoming a delegate of the Wenatchee Valley on an upcoming exchange; more information and applications can be found on our “Get Involved” page.

upcoming in 2031: The Centennial Celebration

October 2031 will mark the 100th anniversary of this historical Miss Veedol flight, and plans are underway to coordinate a community celebration that is worthy of marking this significant milestone.

Want to help? Visit our “Get Involved” page to see how you can contribute!