Snowbirds, military acts heading for Vanderhoof airspace
After a two-year absence, the Vanderhoof International Airshow will return in 2018 with a full contingent of military acts.
The airshow, slated for Aug. 4, 2018, will feature performances by the Canadian Forces Snowbirds, the 2018 CF-18 Demonstration Team and the Canadian Armed Forces Parachute Team, the Skyhawks. Organizers for the airshow confirmed the participation of the three acts at the International Council of Airshows (ICAS) Convention on Tuesday.
Tom Bulmer, co-chair of the Vanderhoof International Airshow, said organizers were able to book these high-demand military teams because they are no longer competing with the Abbotsford International Airshow.
“The reason we can get them this year – we have not had the Canadian military before – is this coming year we are not going to be on the same weekend as Abbotsford. All of these people perform at Abbotsford,” Bulmer said.
The CF-18 Demonstration Team will feature a themed paint job commemorating the 60th anniversary of the North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD).
“Every year they have a special paint job and a special theme. This past year, 2017, they were a tremendous red, white and black for the Canada 150 celebrations,” Bulmer said.
The Vanderhoof airshow has been held every second year, often alternating with the Quesnel Skyfest International Airshow. Last year’s airshow in Quesnel was cancelled due to the summer wildfires.
The previous Vanderhoof International Airshow drew 4,600 participants. Tickets for this summer’s airshow will be priced at $10, and free for children under 12.