Join us at the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre for a Thrilling Day of Snowbird-Themed Fun and Entertainment!
By Sault Tourism
The world-famous Snowbirds, the Canadian Forces esteemed air demonstration team, are heading to Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario on Saturday, September 21st, and the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre is making a day of it!
Bushplane Days, the annual 2-day celebration, is hosting a pre and post-show featuring Snowbird-themed entertainment, plus there will be a designated waterfront viewing area, so you can get front row seats to one of the most anticipated shows in Sault Ste. Marie!
In addition, you can experience the thrill of flying in the Snowbirds yourself via a new virtual reality simulator provided by VSB Foundation, which will be situated in the Bushplane Museum all day Saturday and Sunday.
Finally, stick around after the show when the pilots will be back in town for an exclusive meet-and-greet at the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre from 4.30-6pm.
The Snowbirds
The Snowbirds are the Canadian Forces esteemed air demonstration team and have been operating since the 1970s. They typically fly in formations of 9 aircraft with manoeuvres designed each season and approved by the Canadian Forces. The Snowbirds fly the Canadair CT-114 Tutor, a Canadian-built jet that was used by the Canadian Forces until 2000. The Tutor weighs approximately 7,170 lbs (3,260 kg) and is powered by a J-85 engine producing 2,700 pounds of thrust. Top speeds of the aircraft during the displays range from 100 to 320 knots or 185 to 590 km/h, and the planes fly as close as 1.2 metres to each other!
The Show
The airshow is scheduled to begin at 2pm and will be visible along the Sault Ste. Marie waterfront. The show is designated as a non-aerobatic display. Feel the rumble and immerse yourself in the thrill as the Snowbirds soar and swoop just 500 feet overhead, delivering an unforgettable airshow above the St. Marys River. The show is anticipated to be approximately 30 minutes overhead and will be accompanied by music and live commentary.
Local Connection
The Snowbird Boss (Lead Pilot) is Major Brent Handy, a graduate of Sault College’s aviation program. Major Handy succeeded into the role in of Snowbird 1 for the 2024 season and attended Sault College from 1996 to 1999. In addition, a second pilot flying Snowbird 9 Captain Patrice Powis-Clement, grew up on nearby St. Joseph Island and also graduated from Sault College’s Aviation Technology Flight program.
Saturday, September 21st, 2024
Day 1 of Bushplane Days is dedicated to celebrating aviation history, including the 100th Anniversary of the Canadian Airforce with the Snowbirds airshow. Activities throughout the day will be Snowbird-themed. Doors open at 10am with a variety of family-friendly activities including facepainting, crafts and fun with Entomica creatures.
New this year is the addition of a digital technology company VSB Foundation, who will be offering the very latest virtual reality flight simulator experience. Find out what it feels like to fly with the Snowbirds with this new, fully immersive experience that leverages the latest cutting-edge technology. The VR simulator, will put you in the (virtual) seat of a Snowbird aircraft and will be available at no additional cost, on a first-come, first-served basis during the day.
At lunch time enjoy food from the BBQ, listen to live music and enjoy a specially brewed ‘Tipsy Beaver’ beer by Northern Superior.
Then, at 2pm, witness the specular aerial display of the world-famous Snowbirds in a designated, waterfront viewing area on the apron of the Bushplane Museum. Limited seating will be available.
The entertainment continues after the show with more live music, food and drink. At around 4.30pm, you can get a chance to meet the Snowbirds pilots as they head back to the city for an exclusive meet-and-greet at the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre.
Bushplane Days Schedule
Check out the festival schedule below! Admission is by donation but a $10 donation will get you free ice cream or lemonade!
Saturday
10am-6pm
- 10am – Doors open, Bushplane Days begin! Crafts and games, axe throwing (for a fee), archery (for a fee), face painting, mini-train, mini-putt, large lawn games, Soo Radio Club, Brick Space, Snowbirds virtual reality simulator by VSB Foundation
- 11am – Fun and Funner
- 10-1pm – A Firetruck is on site for kids to explore and learn about
- 11.30am – 5.30m – BBQ & beverages
- 1pm- 5pm – Live Music: Brendan Hodgson & Mid Life Crisis
- 2pm – Snowbirds Aerial Display!
- 4.30pm to 6pm (approx.) – Meet and greet the Snowbird pilots!
Sunday
10am-4pm
- 10am – Doors open, Bushplane Days begin! Crafts and games, axe throwing (for a fee), archery (for a fee), face painting, mini-train, mini-putt, large lawn games, Soo Radio Club, Brick Space, Snowbirds virtual reality simulator by VSB Foundation
- 10-11am – Interactive Kids’ Storytelling with Bushplane Stories
- 11am – Fun and Funner
- Noon – 12.30pm – MNR airshow display over the St. Marys River
- 11.30am (and every hour) – Interpretive Canoe Excursions Model Flight Airshow (for a fee)
- 11.30am – 3.30pm – BBQ & beverages
- 12.30pm – 4pm – Live Music: Julianna Reagan, Northern Jazz Ensemble
V.I.P. Meet & Greet With The Snowbirds
On Friday, September 20th, the day before the Snowbirds show over Sault Ste. Marie’s waterfront, there is a ticketed VIP meet and greet event happening at the Sault Ste. Marie airport.
An excursion from the Bushplane Museum to the airport will leave at 10.30am. Get all the information here plus tickets here.
Other Viewing Options
With the airshow spanning the waterfront the best viewing locations will be from the Sault Ste. Marie Canal National Historic Site all the way down to Bellevue Park.
Clergue Park will host the Snowbird’s very own commentator stage. This commentary of the aerial display is a key feature of the Snowbirds routine and will be broadcast on a local FM radio station (to be confirmed closer to the time) so viewers can hear the show from all locations.
The Roberta Bonda Pavilion will also be a great spot to view the Snowbirds and the Miss Marie is running a special Snowbirds tour that day.
The Miss Marie
For a truly unique experience, board the Miss Marie Lock Tour boat for a special Snowbird themed charter on the water, directly below the airshow. Departing at 1pm and returning at 3pm guests can enjoy a river cruise and airshow for $60 per person. Limited tickets available. Appetizers will be served and the charter is fully licensed.
Visit www.saultlocktours.ca for more information.
Downtown Parking
A map of downtown car parking areas is available by clicking here.
Sunday, September 22nd at Bushplane Days
Come down to the Bushplane Museum on Sunday where the fun continues. This year is the 100th anniversary of OPAS (Ontario Provincial Air Service) and there will be celebrations to honor this achievement. More details and exciting announcements to come!
Get more details here.
Admission Fees to Bushplane Days
Admission is by donation. All funds raised support the Bushplane Museum’s programs, exhibits and services.
For more information about the Bushplane Museum (Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre) and Entomica, click the below links.
Thanks to the Sault Ste. Marie Airport!
Thanks to the Sault Ste. Marie Airport, for hosting the Snowbirds, as well as providing logistical and technical support. “As the private owner and operator of the Sault Ste. Marie Airport, we see this as a gesture of support for our community and an opportunity to spark interest in aviation across all age groups. This event aligns perfectly with milestones in aviation history, making it especially meaningful for us.” Terry Bos, President and CEO of the Sault Ste. Marie Airport Development Corporation.
