With a province-wide COVID-19 shutdown in effect and with a heightened regard for safety, Saturday’s AirFest Salute to All Essential Workers has been postponed until next month.
Noting we are at a critical point in the pandemic, with a record number of ICU cases across Ontario, organizers of the salute decided to stand with essential workers and promote safe practices.
In a statement organizers noted, “While we remain confident that the salute is a safe event for all involved, it would be a disservice to the essential workers that we are honouring if we were to proceed with the event during a stay-at-home order. In postponing this event until after the end of the stay-at-home order we are not only encouraging everyone to remain safe, but also supporting the efforts of all our essential workers.
The salute is now scheduled to take place May 15 once the shutdown is expected to be lifted. More announcements will be coming prior to that time.
The following acts are still confirmed to take part on May 15th:
– Banner Pull (will be towing a banner behind with a special message to essential workers) – Flight Line Charters
– RCAF CC-130H Hercules
– Harvards – Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association
– de Havilland Vampire – Waterloo Warbirds
– Aero L-29 “Viper” Delfin Jet – Waterloo Warbirds
– Mixed personal aircraft – COPA St. Thomas
– Boeing-Stearman – Dave Hewitt
– Beechcraft Model 18, Canadian Queen Expeditor – Dave Hewitt
– Robinson R44 and Bell Jet Ranger Helicopters – Zimmer Air
Over the past two weeks, residents have been asked to nominate their favourite essential worker for a chance to win a free ride in a Harvard aircraft, or tickets to the upcoming St. Thomas Air Fest in June 2022. Here are the winners:
Winners of Free Ride in a Harvard (rides to happen at a later date):
Charlene Blaney – Primary Care Paramedic – Vaccinator
Erin lee Gardner – Grocery Store Clerk
Mike Lawrence – Personal Support Worker
Winner of Family Pass to Air Fest 2022:
Adam Scharrer – Personal Support Worker
Winners of 2 General Admission tickets to Air Fest 2022:
Courtney McQuiggan – Crisis Responder
Craig Hudson – Security Guard
Stacey Langohr – Personal Support Worker
Jason Pollard – Tractor Mechanic and Volunteer Firefighter
