Upwards of 100 general aviation aircraft are expected to swoop in at Sarnia Chris Hadfield Airport on Saturday, August 8, during the annual fly-in event.
Sarnia Ontario Aviation Rally (SOAR) Fly-In Spokesperson Bruce Bond said most will be from southwestern Ontario, but some are flying in from Michigan.
The event will begin at 8:30 a.m. and run until 3 p.m.
Spokesperson Mark Seibutis said the Sarnia Legion Pipe Band will march onto the field just before 10 a.m. Once the ceremony concludes, people will be free to wander the area.
"There'll be bouncy castles for kids," Seibutis said. "There are food vendors, different businesses in town will show their wares."
Retired astronaut Col. Chris Hadfield will be on site for a meet and greet and book signing.
The event is free to attend, however, donations will be collected for Pathways Health Centre for Children. Over the years, roughly $40,000 has been raised for the organization in total.
Seibutis said this year's event will honour Roger and Eleanor Hadfield, who both played a major role in Sarnia's early aviation history.
He said the event also serves as a unique opportunity for people to get an up-close look at different types of aircraft.
Rare machines such as the P-51 Mustang and Spitfire MKXVII will be on display. The Canadian Aviation Museum will also have Harvard, Stearman, and Chipmunk aircraft.
"It's also a chance to spark the younger people and get them interested in aviation and flying," said Bond. "There's a shortage of pilots in North America, and likely all over the world, and we want to get the younger kids interested in aviation and possibly move them towards that kind of career."
It's also hoped the event highlights the importance of maintaining Sarnia's airport. Seibutis encouraged attendees to look at the ad boards that will be set up during the event.
"It might be a good thing for city councillors to look at, give them some courage when they make decisions, that these businesses are for the airport and they're willing to support an event like this," Seibutis said.
City council voted in April to establish a Municipal Services Corporation (MSC), which would help establish plans for the future of Sarnia Chris Hadfield Airport. MSC board members were approved during the July 20 council meeting.
The airport is also involved in a one-year pilot project between Tourism Sarnia-Lambton, Landline Company, and Air Canada, to offer motorcoach service to Toronto Pearson Airport.
