Duane Hicks
For the first time since 1998, the Royal Canadian Air Force’s “Snowbirds” demonstration team will put on a show at the Fort Frances Airport on Wednesday, June 10.
Bruce Caldwell, who put in a request for the Snowbirds back in the fall, recently confirmed Canada’s premier aerobatics flying team is coming here.
“I’m pleased that they could come,” said Caldwell, explaining that each year, he puts in requests to the Department of National Defence for planes of one type or another to come in for the annual “Fly-in, Drive-in BBQ.”
“They might have seen that and thought, ‘He’s been asking a lot,’” chuckled Caldwell, noting the Snowbirds’ performance will be held in lieu of this year’s “Fly-in, Drive-in BBQ.”
He expects the Snowbirds will perform in the early evening (6 p.m.) to give working families time to get there after work.
The Snowbirds, which are comprised of serving men and women of the Canadian Forces, last performed here in May, 1998.
This had been their fourth time here since 1989.
Caldwell said that to the best of his knowledge, the Snowbirds haven’t performed in the region in recent years.
“I’m hoping they draw a crowd,” he remarked. “The year we had the Hercules in [at the ‘Fly-in, Drive-in BBQ’], we had 500 people.
“Everybody loves the Snowbirds,” he added.
“I’ve been to air shows and talked to some Americans, and they like the Snowbirds better than the ‘Blue Angels,’” Caldwell noted.
“Because the ‘Blue Angels’ go over so fast, they come over and disappear all of a sudden.
“But the Snowbirds, they’re in sight all of the time,” he explained.
Of course, bringing in the Snowbirds will cost money. Caldwell said it’s likely tickets will be sold for the performance, but only if he can’t cover costs otherwise.
“The biggest expense I’ve got is 24 rooms at the Rendez-Vous,” he noted.
“If I can get somebody to come up with some money to pay for those, then it [the show] will be free.”
Caldwell reasoned that tickets could be sold for $10 each.
“If we can sell 800 tickets, then we’ve got everything all covered,” he remarked, noting he hopes the town also gives some money to help cover costs.
Caldwell said he already has been getting local support.
For example, he is arranging for a dozen cars to borrow from local automotive dealerships for the Snowbirds while they’re here, and has eight lined up already.
Caldwell also hopes the Snowbirds will be able to visit local schools, as well as attend that week’s air cadets’ meeting, adding that several Snowbirds started out as air cadets in their respective communities.
As well, he would like to get a school bus, have it stop at Rainycrest, and transport some seniors to the airport to come see the Snowbirds perform.
The 908 Rainy Lake Air Cadets also have indicated they will hold a fundraiser BBQ at the event.
Caldwell said he could use a few volunteers to help him out at the show.
Anyone interested in volunteering, or otherwise supporting the Snowbirds’ performance, can contact Caldwell at 274-3070.
