I can think of three events that are guaranteed to draw appreciative and supportive crowds.
The three that come to mind are pancake breakfasts, fireworks displays and performances by Moose Jaw’s own Canadian Forces Snowbirds, 431 Air Demonstration Squadron.
On a recent Saturday, with clouds dissipating just in time, the nine Tutors took to the sky at the Moose Jaw Municipal Airport and for close to 30 minutes showcased a repertoire of breathtaking manoeuvres that had an appreciative audience applauding and oohing, awing and gasping.
It was a perfect way to spend a weekend afternoon and watching the Snowbirds was how close to 1,800 team supporters came together to take a drive in the country to the airport. And it was economically priced — $40 per vehicle and some of those vehicles were packed from front seat to back seat.
Such full vehicles brought to mind the days of the drive-in movie theatres and $10/car charge for a certain number of guests. Occasionally the trunk had to be opened to ensure some hitch-hikers hadn’t popped in there when the driver was distracted.
As one of the gate attendants at the Snowbirds’ show, it was interesting for me to watch the drivers’ expressions when asked how many people were in a vehicle. Some looked in the back seat as though surprised to find so many friends and family back there. Others giggled and teased the passengers when asked how many adults and children were along for the ride.
One man asked: "Do we have too many people in here?” We explained we were just trying to count the number of adults and children and he visibly relaxed. Was he wondering what to do with any excess numbers? Drop them off and pick them up on the way home?
The youngsters were eager to tell us they would see the Snowbirds later in the day. And they were especially excited to learn they could look at some other aircraft up close and personal, as long as they didn’t touch.
A browse through licence plates showed spectators from Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, Montana and North and South Dakota.
I had a pleasant conversation with a driver from Scobey, Mont. I told him that many years ago I was part of the accordion band that marched in that community’s parade and we later played at the county fair. He was interested in that information and suggested another visit to his community. Maybe someday. Meanwhile, he and his occupants seemed pleased to be welcomed to Moose Jaw and Canada.
Many folks who attended the show acknowledged that they had never, ever been to the Municipal Airport before, some didn’t know how to find it and others marvelled at the number of hangars gracing the facility.
And here comes a pancake breakfast: many of the Snowbirds’ followers expressed interest in returning to the airport on Aug.16 for the Moose Jaw Flying Club’s annual fly-in/drive-in pancake breakfast served from 8:30 to 11 a.m.
In addition to pancakes, eggs and sausages, there will be aircraft displays, an opportunity for aircraft rides by donation and demonstrations by Skydive South Saskatchewan.
Now wouldn’t it be a hat trick for the airport folks if, sometime in the future, a bout of fireworks might be added to events at the airport? Wishful thinking? Perhaps.
In the meantime, thanks to the Snowbirds for bringing their show home. Special thank you to the airport authority and Moose Jaw Flying Club for allowing so many visitors onto their grounds and sharing the sky for such a pleasant afternoon.
It was a bonus this year that those darn geese stayed away.
Joyce Walter can be reached at [email protected]
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the position of this publication.
