The annual Vanderhoof Airshow is temporarily rebranding to “The Masters of the Air Exhibition.”
That is according to Paul Collard, the President of the Vanderhoof International Airshow Society, who said “due to the fire and smoke problems, and the fact that our airport is now half of the aerial firefighting in the region, we have had to pivot.”
Instead of spectators looking to the skies to see the planes, they will be on display on the airport’s apron.
“People will be able to tour the inside of the B17 Flying Fortress, one of only three in the world that flies,” Collard said. “You can also book and pay for rides in these aircraft if you so wish.”
Recognizing the show is “quite a bit different” than in previous years, Collard said Vanderhoof is not the only town whose airshow has been altered.
“Fort St. John had to cancel their airshow this year, Cold Lake airshow only got half a days flying out of two days due to smoke,” he explained. “We wanted to put something on and be sure we can do it.”
Eventually, Collard would like to see the airshow return to the skies, saying organizers are already working on lining up the Snowbirds for 2026.
“Everything is up in the air with climate change and the fire conditions we have around here.”
Despite the altered format, organizers still expect a couple thousand to take part.
“It is a very minimal entrance fee of $10. We are hoping they’ll come out for a couple hours, look at the aircrafts, talk to the pilots, experience some of what we can offer,” said Collard.
The aircraft are still the main attraction, but they are not the only attraction.
Collard said there will also be food vendors, children’s programs, search and rescue, the Rocky Mountain Rangers, and other aircraft related businesses at the event.
The exhibition will be held on Saturday (August 3rd) in Vanderhoof from 10:00 – 4:00.
The B-17 Flying Fortress, P-40 Kittyhawk, and P-51 Mustang will fly over Prince George and stop at YXS tomorrow (Thursday) – though they will not be available to the public until the show in Vanderhoof.
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