What鈥檚 not to love about the thunderous sights and sounds of the Snowbirds soaring and swooping in precise, jaw-dropping formations on Victoria鈥檚 oceanfront?
鈥淚t鈥檚 such a rush,鈥� exclaimed Sophia Miles, one of 40,000 fans who lined Dallas Road to watch the Royal Canadian Air Force aerobatic team in action Wednesday.
鈥淚t鈥檚 like when you鈥檙e a kid and your parents bring you to the air show,鈥� the Sidney-based aviation buff said. 鈥淵ou get to relive that experience.鈥�
The aerial spectacle raised funds for CHILD, the Canadian foundation that funds research to help children with Crohn鈥檚 disease, ulcerative colitis and liver disorders.
鈥淚t鈥檚 also a symbol of sa国际传媒,鈥� said Jason Reym, her picnic partner on the grassy slopes of Clover Point.
鈥淢y heart was just going,鈥� added Jason鈥檚 father Roel Reym. 鈥淲e just can鈥檛 get enough of them, and the whole atmosphere.鈥�
Fans even watched and cheered from vantage points like Moss Rock and rooftops, like the May Street homeowner who yelled 鈥淕reat view!鈥� to passersby while leaning against his chimney.
On the tip of Clover Point, the excitement was palpable as The Q鈥檚 Chris Moran readied a live simulcast and two Snowbirds pilots prepared for their play-by-play.
鈥淚t鈥檚 practice, practice, practice, just like everything else,鈥� said Saskatoon-based Capt. Regan Wickett, flanked by Calgary-based Capt. Greg Mendes.
鈥淪ome days yes, some days no,鈥� smiled Wickett, when asked if he wished he were flying high instead of fulfilling his duties as advance safety pilot and team co-ordinator at ground control.
Some familiar faces disembarked from two red double-decker sightseeing buses that pulled in.
鈥淕race McCarthy is the heart and soul of this foundation, and the funds she raises are for a pretty tough disease, to put it mildly,鈥� said passenger Mel Cooper, the Victoria entrepreneur and philanthropist.
The former Social Credit cabinet minister, who co-founded CHILD in 1995 with Mary Parsons and Lindsay Gordon after her granddaughter was diagnosed with Crohn鈥檚 disease, graciously took time out to chat.
鈥淚 was so excited that you gave us the front page today,鈥� McCarthy said, referring to the sa国际传媒鈥檚 photograph of Snowbirds Capt. Maciej Hatta readying his red-and-white jet.
鈥淵ou can鈥檛 collect money until people know what it is you鈥檙e collecting it for, so I鈥檝e had a huge educational job to do, but I鈥檝e got lots of help and wonderful support. It鈥檚 so much appreciated.鈥�
It was by sheer coincidence the Snowbirds became the charity鈥檚 ambassadors, said McCarthy, recalling a golf tournament dinner where she sat next to a Snowbirds head who told her how when she asked.
鈥淚 have lovely memories of being here,鈥� the volunteer chairwoman of the board added.
鈥淚 have a grandson here and two little great granddaughters so it鈥檚 a special place for us.鈥�
When Cooper continued to sing the praises of McCarthy and board member Red Robinson outside, he was suddenly cut off by the ear-splitting roar of jets overhead.
鈥淢el, you can鈥檛 compete with that!鈥� laughed the legendary sa国际传媒 broadcaster and sa国际传媒 Entertainment Hall of Famer.
鈥淲e lost our son at 33 to Crohn鈥檚 disease so when Grace said, 鈥業鈥檓 going to form this group. Would you join us?鈥� I said, 鈥極f course. Are you kidding?鈥欌�� the veteran rock and roll DJ recalled.
As the aroma of waffles and hot dogs wafted across the seafront, volunteer Bob Brocklebank appeared amused that the question he was most often asked was whether fish and chips would be available.
The cheerful Royal Canadian Air Force veteran was accompanied by his daughter Erin, volunteering with dad for the second time.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 how we roll,鈥� she said, smiling.
