The Snowbirds, officially known as the Canadian Forces 431 Air Demonstration Squadron, visited Niagara-on-the-Lake this Wednesday, showing off aerobatics in the skies over the vineyards and Niagara District Airport.
Hundreds of kids and parents gathered in the hangers of the airport to see the planes up-close and have autographs signed by the famous pilots, including Captain Blake McNaughton, a Thorold native.
The aerial show started just after 4 p.m. and lasted for about an hour, while the Birds did different sky routines, flying so close together one could be forgiven for clenching their teeth a little. They don’t need to worry though — these guys are the top of their class. Every member of the Snowbirds is Canadian Forces personnel has to have years of military experience prior to joining the squad and pilots also go through a rigorous series of try-outs to evaluate their formation-flying proficiency.
In addition to the crowd at the airport, cars parked all around the airport and surrounding streets to watch the show, while others like Rob Wiens watched from somewhere sentimental, remembering the last time the snowbirds were in Niagara back when he was a child. Wiens brought his family to his what used to be his aunt’s house. The owner let them set up a lawnchair in the shade and watched the show with them.
