Iconic Snowbirds part of air show
CANADA’S 150TH CELEBRATIONS LEAD TO A BUSY SCHEDULE FOR FAMED PERFORMERS
To commemorate Canada’s 150 years as a country, the Lethbridge International Air Show features the Canadian Forces Snowbirds 431 Air Demonstration Squadron July 14-16 at the Lethbridge Airport.
As the air show celebrates its 25th anniversary, the Canadian icon Snowbirds bring the team’s thrilling high-flying performance to southern Alberta, during Canada’s ultimate celebration. Comprised of serving members of the Canadian Armed Forces and the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), the Snowbirds lineup includes Lt(N). Michele Tremblay, Canadian Forces Snowbirds public affairs officer and pilot.
“We’re going to be doing shows, pretty much every weekend and mid-weeks on Wednesday nights up until Oct. 20,” she noted, adding the season started April 29 with a show in Gatineau, Que.
Tremblay said because of Canada’s 150 celebrations from coast-to-coast, the Snowbirds have been asked to perform at a number of shows across the country including a Canada Day appearance July 1 in Ottawa and a fly past during the Invictus Games in Toronto in September. The team also visits numerous locations throughout the United States.
“We always get an awesome great greeting. They know the Snowbirds,” she said.
According to Tremblay, the U.S. has its own flying demonstration teams including the Thunderbirds and Blue Angels, but fans are just in awe of the aerobatics in the sky from Canada’s flying demonstration team — the Snowbirds.
“We do quite tight formations and manoeuvres and it is always spectacular.
“That always awes them — even if there are other demonstrators,” she said.
Tremblay said the Snowbirds are proud ambassadors of Canada with the team’s heritage stemming from the Golden Centennaires, “who were created in 1967 when Canada celebrated its 100th birthday.”
Also featured at this year’s Lethbridge International Air Show is the CF-18 Demonstration Team, as the team returns to the North American 2017 air show season with a brand new theme commemorating Canada's 150th anniversary.
Air show hours: Friday, July 14, gates open 4-11 p.m. Saturday, July 15, gates open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. And, Sunday, July 16, is Family Day with gates open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
For admission prices and information visit online at lethbridgeairshow.ca.