It’s flying in fast – the 2013 Comox Armed Forces Day and Air Show is just days away.
Air Show day is this Saturday and residents and visitors in the Comox Valley are invited to join the men and women of 19 Wing, CFB Comox in celebrating 70 years of Canadian Air Force history.
Organizers are expecting people from across Vancouver Island, the Sunshine Coast and the Lower Mainland to descend on the Comox Valley for what promises to be an exciting, educational and fun day for the entire family. With child tickets priced at $10 and advance-sales adult prices at $20 ($25 on Air Show day), it is an affordable day out for families as well.
Recently, organizers learned that they can offer visitors even more excitement and value for money as they added Team Rocket, with their high-performance “Harmon Rocket II” airplanes and the graceful aerobatics of Anna Serbinenko with her “Super Decathlon” to the line up. These acts will join the Air Show’s headline aircraft; the CF-18 Demonstration Team, the Snowbirds, as well as the C-17 Globemaster transport plane and a Second World War B-25 Mitchell bomber.
Gates open to the public at 8:30 a.m. and close at 5 p.m. Early arrivals will be able to check out an impressive static aircraft display area and classic airplane fans will also be excited to know that close to 50 privately owned, unique and vintage aircraft will be on display at the “Fly-In” area.
The flying acts get started at 10:15 a.m. and go till 3:45 p.m. The entertainment won’t stop there though. The Royal Canadian Air Force’s “Jetstream” band will play till 5 p.m. when the gates close.
Visitors are highly encouraged to walk, bike or take BC Transit’s Air Show service which will be operating from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. The Air Show via Comox Mall will start at Cliffe and 4th Avenue. A second route, the Air Show Park & Ride, will collect passengers at the Comox Valley Exhibition Grounds and North Island College. With traffic congestion expected to be high around 19 Wing Comox on Air Show day, visitors are encouraged to “Ride the Bus to the Comox Air Show” for a fast and convenient way of getting to and from the base.
Handicapped parking will be available on-site for all vehicles displaying the approved handicap signage. There will also be a handicap drop-off area across from the bus loop near the pedestrian gate.
Once inside the gates, visitors can enjoy the many display booths and feast on foods from over 30 concessions. A Family Zone featuring a Lego play area and inflatable obstacle course will keep families with children busy.
Air Show tickets are available at all Thrifty Foods locations and the Canex store at CFB Comox, as well as online at www.comoxairshow.ca
Users of the Comox Valley Airport between August 16-18 are encouraged to check the Comox Valley Airport webpage at www.comoxairport.com for updates and information on how and when to get to the airport.
For more information on the 19 Wing Armed Forces Day and Air Show, visit www.comoxairshow.ca
