Some of the biggest stars in Canadian air shows will provide high-flying thrills in Rocky Mountain House this July.
Guaranteed crowd-pleasers, the Canadian Forces Snowbirds and CF-18 jet demonstration team have committed to the July 24 Rocky Mountain House Airshow.
Those high-performance acts will be joined by the plummeting precision of the Skyhawks Parachute Team and a long lineup of other civilian aerobatic acts for the show set for Rocky’s airport.
Enthusiasm is sky high among air show organizers, who are predicting this will be the best show ever and a fitting tribute to the town, which is celebrating its centennial this year.
“We got really fortunate this year,” said society president Rob Ironside of the lineup, which already boasts some of Canada’s top aviation performers. “The stars lined up and we got very lucky.
“This is probably going to be one of the biggest shows we’ve ever done.”
Veteran aerobatic pilot and Rocky airport manager Ken Fowler is busy trying to line up the top names in Canadian civilian aerobatics to add to the show’s draw.
Fowler and fellow pilot Eric Hansen will perform as their two-plane act Team Rocket Aerobatics.
Ironside said organizers with the non-profit air show society have launched a fundraising drive to help pay for other top-notch acts. They hope to raise $10,000 to $20,000. Sponsors, vendors and volunteers are also needed.
Those interested can get more information at www.rockymtnhouseairshow.com.
Beginning May 1 advance tickets will be available for $15. Tickets at the gate will cost $20.
Parking will cost an additional $20 and is in short supply, so organizers encourage visitors to use the free shuttle house from Rocky Mountain House. Gates open at 2 p.m. and the show takes place at 5:30 p.m.