The rib-tingling roar of jet engines is back in North Bay.
Armed Forces Day, featuring the Canadian Forces Snowbirds, SkyHawks Parachute Team and CF-18 Demonstration Team is set for Wednesday, June 19.
It’s the 12th in-person event for the city, running from 10:30 am until 3 pm at Shabogesic Beach.
Brand new this year, you’ll be able to hear what’s going on in the sky from anywhere in the city by tuning into 106.3 Jet FM.
The airshow broadcast begins at 11 am.
Captain Caleb ‘Tango’ Robert with the CF-18 Demonstration Team says make sure to put on your sunscreen, hydrate and put in some ear plugs because it’s going to be a fantastic show.
“You’re going to see this airplane go to the absolute extremes that a fighter jet can,” he says. “You’re going to get some high speed passes, low and fast. You’re going to get some on-crowd passes and some sneak passes from behind the crowd.”
Master Corporal Sabrina Cloutier is one of two female parachute riggers in the entire Canadian Armed Forces.
She joined the military five years ago as a supply technician but made the jump to the SkyHawks when the opportunity came up.
“SkyHawks was the dream when I joined the Air Drop Systems Technician trade,” she says. “They explained what the SkyHawks were doing that we’re going all over Canada, doing shows, that this will be an opportunity you will never forget. You will not get it anywhere else.”
Corporal Benjamin Barrett is a demonstrator with the SkyHawks.
This will be his first time at Armed Forces Day in North Bay.
“As a team it means a lot to have shows like North Bay that keep inviting us back year after year,” he says. “Really building a relationship with the community here is really important to us.“
The 22 Wing Band is also performing with other static military displays set up at the waterfront.
Officials say all activities and entertainment are free to the public.
Memorial Drive will be closed from 7 am until 4 pm on Wednesday and the city says the entire waterfront is a ‘No Drone Zone’ during Armed Forces Day.
Parking will be available at municipal lots 2 and 10 on Oak Street, near the North Bay Museum and North Bay Transit Terminal, with accessible parking available at the waterfront.
Officials say Armed Forces Day recognizes the efforts of all military personnel currently serving in the City of North Bay, providing the military an opportunity to showcase equipment, highlight training and offer military demonstrations by various units.
Everyone is encouraged to wear red or blue.
