Snowbirds bringing parachute team for Peachfest this summer

The RCAF Snowbirds are returning to Penticton, and they’re bringing friends.

The Snowbird committee officially announced the aerial team’s participation in the 70th annual Penticton Peach Festival at a brief press conference Tuesday morning at the Lakeside Resort.

Committee co-chair Fred Trainor said the air show, scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 9, in the early evening, will include the CF18 Hornet and pyrotechnics show. Peachfest is also “penciled in — 95 per cent certain” for the Skyhawks Parachute Team that will land in the centre of Okanagan Lake Park.

“We’re really excited to be kicking off the 70th annual Peachfest, in Canada’s 150th anniversary year, with this mini-air show,” Trainor said. “It will really be something to see.”

The Snowbirds will bring 11 pilots and 11 mechanics to Penticton for the free show.

“They love coming to Penticton,” said Trainor. “We really treat them well. Tuesday is their day off, but we bring them in a day early and set them up with a wine tour and golf and go out of our way to treat them well.”

This is the eighth time in 20 years that the Snowbirds have attended Peachfest; the previous time was 2015. The show is sponsored by Peters Bros. Construction.

Coun. Andre Martin, representing the City of Penticton, acknowledged the sponsors and volunteers.

“With this being Canada’s 150th birthday, the aerial show is a huge plus to add to an already great event,” Martin said. “This all happens because of the committee members, the volunteers and the sponsors, and it will bring people to town for a great show.”

Tentatively, the Snowbirds will perform at 5:30 or 6 p.m. with the CF18 Hornet show closer to dusk. The musical headliner on Aug. 9 is 54/40.

Peachfest is the largest free five-day festival in Canada.