This summer, I had the opportunity to see the Canadian Forces Snowbirds three times.
Read more: Oil Barons top Bobcats 3-1 despite 42-shot barrage in home opener
I knew each show was special, but knowing 2026 is the final season for the team’s iconic CT-114 Tutor aircraft made each viewing feel a little more meaningful.
My last chance to see the Snowbirds came Sept. 15 while I was on vacation in Kingston, Ont. As the familiar red-and-white aircraft crossed the sky, I found myself thinking about just how much these planes and their pilots have come to mean to Canadians.
The Snowbirds have been a part of Canadian aviation history for more than five decades. Since 1971, the team has represented the Canadian Armed Forces at air shows and events across the country, showcasing precision, discipline and teamwork.
For generations of Canadians, the sound of the Snowbirds overhead has been part of summer. They have performed at countless community celebrations, introduced young people to aviation and served as flying ambassadors for Canada.
There is something uniquely Canadian about seeing those nine aircraft move through the sky in perfect formation.
Three shows in one summer may seem like a lot. But with the Tutor era coming to an end, I am grateful I had the chance to see them one last time.
Some memories are worth looking up for.
Read more: Lloydminster reviews proposed residential redistricting application
