Air show organizers unveil action-packed lineup

Edmontonians won’t be questioning whether it’s a bird or a plane in the sky this August as the fifth annual Edmonton Airshow takes flight with a stacked roster of performances and exhibitors.

Dubbed the “biggest and best” year in its history, the air show will welcome the Canadian Forces Snowbirds, the Air Combat Command A-10C Thunderbolt II demonstration team from Arizona, the 2019 CF-18 demonstration team and other acts to the Villeneuve Airport on Aug. 18 and 19.

Jacquie B, the Erickson Collection, a de Havilland DH-115 and Yellow Thunder will also be in attendance.

The Airshow is a chance for Edmonton and area to “celebrate innovation and showcase new opportunities,” said Sturgeon County Mayor Alanna Hnatiw at the River Cree Hotel and Casino on Wednesday.

“We are proud to have this event in our community.”

The air show is presented in partnership with the Enoch Cree Nation, Sturgeon County and Edmonton Airports, which operates both Edmonton International Airport and Villeneuve Airport northwest of the city.

Richard Skermer, Edmonton Airshow president, and other partners stressed the “future-focused” event is an opportunity for aviation to help catalyze further economic development and investment in multiple industries in Alberta.

“The air show is just a gateway ... to a larger endeavour,” said Skermer on Wednesday. The air show generates around $3 million in economic activity each year and gives attendees the opportunity to see what goes on behind the cockpit in the industry as well.

“Ninety per cent of aviation happens on the ground.”

The event also aims to increase the participation and retention of women and other under-represented groups in aviation.

“Aviation is gender-neutral. Everyone can fly a plane (and) everyone can swing a wrench,” said Skermer. “Edmonton is a really diverse city to begin with, and when you start focusing more on the family event versus what traditional air shows are ... the diversity just showed up.”

But all the fun won’t just be in the sky. FMX Motocross shows and monster truck rides will be running throughout the weekend, along with family activities, beer gardens, food trucks and vintage aircraft.

“Whether you’re eight or 80, you can find something to do,” said Skermer.