Despite Mother Nature having plenty of say in the 2026 Barrie Airshow, the annual spectacle in the sky featured unique performances and a bittersweet farewell to Canada’s beloved aerobatic team. The Snowbirds The performance by the Canadian Forces (CF) Snowbirds this weekend marked their last flights over Kempenfelt Bay for the foreseeable future, as the iconic CT-114 Tutor jets will be grounded at the end of the season. Capt. Jeremy Dionne, CF Snowbirds pilot, had the honour of announcing it. “It’s pretty good to have announced the last show with the Tutors that have served us for more than six decades now,” he said. The Royal Canadian Air Force demonstration squadron wowed the Barrie crowd, and paid tribute to OPP Const. Tarun Bali and Toronto Const. Marc Pinizotto, who were killed in the line of duty this week. To recognize them, the Snowbirds flew a ‘Missing Man’ formation in both Saturday and Sunday shows, where one of the eight Tutor jets flew away from the group. “As members of the military we know the risk and sacrifice that all first responders take,” said Capt. Phil Rochon, CF Snowbirds Public Affairs Officer. “For us to honour both constables today, especially with the family present, it’s a great honour.” The regulars The roaring CF-18 Hornet and Griffon Helicopter rounded out the military performers. The civilian regulars included the CT-133 ‘Red Knight’, Harvards, and the pair of Stayner-based Edenvale Classics, the Cornell and Tiger Moth. “The airport at Edenvale was a reliever field for Borden during the (Second World War), and we’re trying to keep that history alive,” said Larry Arnold, Edenvale Classics Aircraft Foundation President. What was new The Airshow’s new format this year delivered a successful Saturday evening Twilight show, which was capped off by a pyrotechnic act from Redline Airshows and a fireworks finale. “Turned out to be an incredible part of the show. It was absolutely fantastic,” said Hon. Col. Wayne Hay, Barrie Airshow Chair. “We were very pleased.” “We really wanted to make sure we had new elements that would draw people down to have them really feel like there’s something exciting and different and new,” added Ashley Chappell, Barrie Special Events Supervisor. “Every year we just kind of try to one-up it a little bit.” In Sunday’s show, the CF-18 also joined a P-51 Mustang, Mk IX Spitfire, and a Hawker Hurricane, three Second World War fighters, in a unique, multi-generational military formation. The Weather The weekend was marked by plenty of turbulent weather. Dives by the Skyhawks were cancelled on both days. Heavy clouds and rain on Sunday cancelled performances by the Edenvale Classics and Northern Stars and delayed the start time by two hours. All other day two performers managed to take flight. “We were lucky enough that come show time, we were able to get our (low altitude) show in,” said Capt. Rochon of how the Snowbirds adjusted their Barrie finale. Looking ahead The Snowbirds will make their next stops in Ohio, Quebec and New Brunswick before performing in Ottawa on Canada Day. Even with the inclement weather, the City of Barrie expects to have reached its Airshow targets of 140,000 spectators and $11 million in economic impact. Those numbers will be confirmed in the coming weeks.
