The Vanderhoof Airshow is looping through the local skies today.
Organizers of this year's event were encouraged by the high audience numbers last weekend at Quesnel's airshow, and the large turnout for their own event last summer. Since the weather forecast is for hot and clear conditions today across the region, and the local appetite for aerotainment is apparently strong, the signals are good for a successful day at the Vanderhoof Airport.
"I think everybody is pretty excited about it around here," said David Fehr, one of the main volunteer organizers. "People are happy about last year, we have heard that a lot. We got a lot of calls from pilots who want to fly in and watch. We got a lot of support from sponsors, and it was great to see so many sponsors from Prince George really come through for us."
Vanderhoof was once famed for its airshow until it ran into troubled times. The multi-day event ran for 17 consecutive years until it ceased to operate in 1995. Vanderhoof residents and those who loved the old event got together in recent times to restore the aerial action. Last year they did, with a one-day pilot project. It worked.
"The crowd was really big. It was exciting to see the response," said Fehr. "This means a lot for Vanderhoof. The motels are full this year, the restaurants are full, it's huge."
The secret to longevity is living within your means, said Fehr. It will be a one-day event again this year, and the time frame is compact. The gates open at 11:30 a.m., the first act zooms through at 1 p.m., and the last one lands at 3 p.m. There will be tarmac displays and a dinner/dance hangar party tonight to celebrate.
It will be a steady jet-stream of activity, though. Among the acts are biplane stunt pilot Ron Andrew, wingwalker Carol Pilon, hang-glider superstar Dan Buchanan, a pair of L29 jets being demonstrated by John and son Richard Mrazek, and arguably the headliner is "Super Dave" Mathieson with his sleek MX2 stunt plane.
According to the Super Dave crew, "One season while flying a Cessna 180 on floats, the control stick for the aircraft disconnected from the dashboard, losing both aileron and elevator. Dave managed to keep the aircraft flying by using the trim wheel, his body weight, and opening the doors to steer the aircraft back to his base. Dave flew the airplane like this for almost one hour before landing it smoothly on the lake. From that day on, his friends dubbed him 'Super Dave'."
Fehr said towns like Quesnel and Vanderhoof seem to succeed with airshows better than the larger cities.
"We will keep building her up, but carefully," said Fehr. "We were quite happy last year and got a lot of volunteer help and a lot of interest. We have to see how things go this year, but it's looking good. Vanderhoof has been known for its airshow for years, so we are getting that going again."
Admission is $5 at the airport gate. The dinner and dance are $30 total or $20 for the dance only.
