Armed Forces Day returns to the waterfront in two weeks.
The Wednesday, June 10 celebration includes the Snowbirds, Skyhawks Parachute Team, static military displays and more.
22 Wing Honourary Colonel Scott Tod, event committee chair, says having the Snowbirds here before their Tutor aircraft retire after this season is a highlight.
“I think just having the Snowbirds in North Bay and doing their air demonstration here with the knowledge that this is the last time that they ever will be flying, I think that in itself is a special event, a special opportunity,” he says.
After this season, the Snowbirds will be grounded until their new planes arrive in the early 2030s.
Mayor Peter Chirico says Armed Forces Day gives the community a chance to say thank you to Canadian and American military personnel who keep both the city and the country safe.
“The largest Armed Forces Day celebration in Canada, right here in North Bay,” he says. “That speaks volumes for not only our community but the base community. The interaction we have with our armed forces personnel both American and Canadian.”
Col. Shawn Guilbault, 22 Wing Commander, says he’s been to Armed Forces Day events elsewhere and it’s different in North Bay.
“I think it’s the right mix of the right size of the city, the mission, the long history and the support we get here from the town and honourary colonels,” he says. “[It’s a] great program bar none.”
Armed Forces Day typically draws thousands, with area students converging on the waterfront for the event each year.
It runs from 10 am until 2 pm on June 10 (weather permitting and subject to change) at the North Bay Waterfront and all activities and entertainment are free to the public.
Memorial Drive will be closed from 7 am until 4 pm that day.
Officials say for over 70 years, personnel from the Canadian Armed Forces and the United States Air Force have worked together through North American Aerospace Defense Command, supporting continental defence operations at 22 Wing/Canadian Forces Base North Bay.
