Thousands of people had their eyes on the sky as the Canadian Forces Snowbirds put on a 45-minute show over Lake Okanagan in collaboration with Kelowna International Airport to celebrate its 75th anniversary.
“Just enjoying the snowbirds. I see them whenever I can, I’ve seen them for many years for years at Fort McMurray, and it just instills in me a sense of national pride,” a local woman said.
“To see the formations, they are incredible. They come together and separate and it’s just biting your nails, another local added.
After nearly a decade since the snowbirds put on a show in Kelowna, Canadian Forces pilots were delighted with the participation and response of the locals.
“It was really better than we expected,” said Public Affairs Officer Gabriel Ferris … “The reaction we had was tremendous. It’s amazing to be able to interact with the population at once. Last year it was a little weird with the driving formats, it was really great to be able to do that right now, to be able to sign autographs and meet people and take some photos and selfies, it’s really great. “
Wings and Wheels was an after-flight celebration open to the public where snowbirds, as well as YLW, teamed up with August Luxury Motors to give the community a chance to meet the riders in person and set their sights on some of the planes. more beautiful and cars around.
“You know, planes and cars are my two favorite things, so we were more than happy to support him. All the snowbirds are driving cars from us and stuff, so it’s great. They’re guys. amazing to meet and talk to and it’s been a lot of fun, ”Matt August said.
Thousands of people welcomed the snowbirds in the city center, but many others attended Wings and Wheels, which Kelowna International Airport believes is only a positive sign for the future of aviation.
“We’re also trying to stimulate the interest of the next generation to see aviation as a career because it’s really where it’s coming from, and so part of doing the Snowbirds event is to keep encouraging people to think about the aviation as a race, ”smiled airport director Sam Samaddar.
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will perform a second show in downtown Kelowna this Sunday before taking off and doing shows across the country and even in the United States until mid-October.