By Oli Herrera

AIRSHOW CANCELLED

Vanderhoof looks onward to other options after postponement of airshow

Jun 4, 2021 | 4:34 PM

VANDERHOOF–The Vanderhoof Airshow has been postponed until next year due to COVID restrictions.

As COVID cases here in the north begin to fall and vaccination rates rise, things are slowly returning to pre-pandemic levels as we move forward in BC’s restart plan. But with less than two weeks before potentially reaching stage 2 and having looser restrictions, the society says it cannot move forward with this year’s show.

“We’re very disappointed but like everybody else, we’ve seen this stuff coming down the pipe. There’s not a lot we can do about it.” said Paul Collard, Secretary of Vanderhoof Airshow.

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Collard says that the event puts the town on the map. He says waiting for an announcement from the province was too hard for the deadline they had.

“With the difficulties and complications and logistics of putting on a show like this, it was just too big a chance to take. That we might make it on time in August. So no, the only logical solution was for us to reschedule for 2022.” said Collard.

It’s not just Vanderhoof that’s fallen victim to the pandemic. Fort St. John has also cancelled their airshow. Abbotsford says that they’ve presented a proposal for their airshow and are waiting for approval.

It’s a hard hit to the Vanderhoof economy, but Mayor Thiessen says it’s not just about the money that the show brings. It’s about showing off what the town has to offer and getting tourists to come back.

“When [people] get off our main road off of highway 16 and see what else we have to offer, then all of a sudden they come back and do a day trip trip there.” said Thiessen.

Theissen says he sympathizes with the hard work the airshow society and volunteers have done to try and make the show happen.

“This is a time where we really need a morale booster. We really need some enthusiasm back into the community.” said Thiessen.

The mayor says he’s working on having the town host other events this year. But that depends on health restrictions.

“Hopefully really soon we can get back into it, maybe have an outdoor concert. Something like that just to build that morale.” said Thiessen

The society is hosting a free Airport Open Day event on September 11th which will have spot landing competitions and radio control demonstrations.