The Hot August long weekend...and the snowbirds!!!!!!!

   So it's the August long weekend here in Victoria.  They are celebrating BC's 150 years.  So what did I do all weekend...well I worked.  But while I was out wandering about on my lunch time...what did I see...our world famous Snowbirds doing a few passovers our beautiful city...

I was amazed.  I only had my point and shoot camera...go figure...
But I did manage to take a few quick shots...surprise.
The weather was hot...sunny...perfect.  A bit of a breeze..
They had an outdoor concert going on the Legeslative grounds...people everywhere.
Now if you are only about 5'1"...it is not always as easy at it seems getting through a crowd of crazy people...so I tend to try to find a bare spot and stand there as long as I can.. ..(grin).

SNOWBIRD HISTORY

Canadian military formation aerobic teams have played a major part of Canadian military aviation history.
It all started with the Siskins in the 1930's.  There have been many teams since then.  there was The Golden Hawks, and the Golden Centennaires..and are still remembered by many people who have enjoyed their exciting aerobic displays.

The Snowbirds, first performed in July of 1971, operated on a year to year basis for seven years, before finally being established as a permanent squardon on April 1st, 1978.

One of the highlights for 1975 was a midnight performance on May 11th at Inuvik in the Land of the Midnight Sun...was an awesome sight to behold. (wish I was there).

In 1976, the growing popularity of the team in the United States, was reflected in the requests for a performance at a show in Philadelphia on July 4th as part of the American Bi-Centennial celebrations.  In Canada, the team performed at both Montreal and Kingston as part of the cermonies during the summer olympics.

In the 1980's for the first time, the show opened and closed with nine-plane formation sequences and was performed in 1982 before a total audience of more than six million fans. (way to many for me).
In 1984 the team helped celebrate the 75th anniversary of powered flight in Canada and the 60th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Air Force.

In 1990 the team flew their 1000 official air demonstration and also incorporated the use of red and white smoke.   In addition to their performances they performed briefly in concert with the United States Blue Angels during Disney's 20th Anniversary, and flew as part of the opening ceremonies prior to the 1991 Grey Cup Game.  In 1992 the Snowbirds performed for the Inuit conference at Inuvik, NWT and were honoured to be official ambassadors for Canada 125 celebrations.

In 2000 they had their busiest season, over 90 shows, over 70 locations all across North America.

In 2005 they celebrated their 2000 show in Reno, Nevada.  They celebrated 35 Years of Hearts.  The 35th anniversary season was dedicated to the memory of their fellow pilot and friend, Captian Miles Shelby, who died during a training accident December 10th, 2004.

As ambassadors for the Canadian Forces and Canada, the Snowbirds not only strive for aerial perfection, but they also ensure that they preserve the team's legacy of excellence in militarydeportment.  The Snowbirds consider it a privilege to perform in communities across North America proudly representing all men and women in Canada's military, serving both at home and deployed on missions oversea's.

So come and look up in the air..........it's a bird...it's a plane...it's an awesome ride!!!!!!

It's the Snowbirds...thanks for the great show!!!