Naval Air Station Whidbey Island held its annual open house on Saturday, and everything was big — from the aircraft on the flightline to the guns the sailors carried. Big crowds wielded big cameras. Aspiring pilots asked lieutenants big questions.

The flight line and hangar became a festival of boats, planes, helicopters, trucks, booths, games — even a rock-climbing wall and a stage.

Navy Band Northwest, the Navy’s official musical ambassador in the Pacific Northwest, made an appearance, playing pop, funk and rock songs.

Kids ran around in military costumes among returning veterans and pilots-to-be.

That’s what brought Ty Johnson from Renton, he said — his love of planes. While he’s interested in aviation, he’s not sure if the Navy will be his path. He’d love to fly a Growler, though, he noted.

Aiden Peiste shares Johnson’s love of planes, but the draw for him was the military patches at a booth in the hangar.

Peiste spent “crazy money” on patches, said Cash Crites, his friend who was tagging along.

Stephen Goldsmith came to show his kids the equipment, he said in the passenger seat of a toe-tractor. Formerly in the Navy himself, stationed at Naval Base Kitsap, he enjoyed the tour.

For AS3 Benjamin Ruba, an aviation support equipment technician, the open house shakes up to an unusual day at work.

He said it’s fun to demonstrate the equipment for guests. The kids are excited, and the adults ask interesting questions.

“It’s their town, you know?” he said. “We’re just here for a little bit.”

Connor Kusick plays with his daughter, Kaylee, in the Search and Rescue helicopter at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island on Saturday. (Photo by Sam Fletcher)

Photo by Sam Fletcher Lt. Benjamin Dodson answers questions after a Search and Rescue helicopter demonstration flight on Saturday.

Growlers were displayed on the Naval Air Station Whidbey Island flightline on Saturday. (Photo by Sam Fletcher)

Lt. Justin Goode answers questions as guests wait to board a P-3 Orion at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island on Saturday. (Photo by Sam Fletcher)

Photo by Sam Fletcher Lt. Justin Goode and Dan Gleeson exit the P-3 Orion at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island on Saturday.

Left to right: AS3 Benjamin Ruba, AS2 Wilton Rosaedoadujar and Airman Nelmar Obaza pose at the Naval Air Station Whidbey Island open house on Saturday. (Photo by Sam Fletcher)

Ben Hopfinger scales the rock climbing wall at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island on Saturday. (Photo by Sam Fletcher)

MU3 Jeremy Sauer leads the Navy Band Northwest at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island on Saturday. (Photo by Sam Fletcher)

Photo by Sam Fletcher MU3 Jeremy Sauer leads the Navy Band Northwest at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island on Saturday.

Photo by Sam Fletcher Connor Kusick plays with his daughter, Kaylee, in the Search and Rescue helicopter at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island on Saturday.