Airport celebrates transportation
By Mona Mattei
The Grand Forks airport is rated as one of the best in the Southern Interior of B.C. so volunteers are inviting the community to celebrate with them at the airport appreciation day next Saturday.
The Grand Forks Flying Association is hosting this celebration of transportation. The day’s events including: fly-in, car and bike show, pancake breakfast, flying demonstrations and a skydiving company will be attending.
Pilots and planes will start arriving on Saturday for the Sunday show from around B.C. and possibly even the United States, making this the first ever international fly-in for Grand Forks, said Gary Smith, Grand Forks city councillor and volunteer organizer for the event.
Smith is also working with the downtown business owners to expand the fly-in into the core of the city.
“I’ve been working on having Market Avenue closed down from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Sunday, have the Farmer’s Market open there, have the business owners open, and the Source is supplying a sound system so we can have music as well” said Smith. “I’m calling it guerrilla urban planning!”
Bron and Sons has agreed to loan the city several large trees to line the avenue and create shade for the day, Smith added. Smith is working on setting up bus shuttles to move people between downtown and the airport for the day.
“It’s about getting people engaged and just demonstrating to themselves that they can make this happen without a lot of time – just get it done!” Smith said, adding that this type of economic development activity can really boost a small town’s image.
Do you have a car or bike you’d like to show off? Call Chantel at 250-444-0050, and she’ll get you signed up so your ride can shine! There’s a “Meet and Greet” barbeque Saturday night, Aug. 25 for the proud owners of the planes, cars, and bikes.
Schedule of events:
Saturday, Aug. 25
Planes arrive, show and shine set up.
Barbeque 5:00 p.m. for registered participants – bring your own food and drinks
Sunday, Aug. 26
Bikes and Cars are to set up 7:00- 8:30 a.m.
Elk’s will be serving breakfast from 7:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Remote Control flying exhibition at 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Show and shine all day
Downtown music and market 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
