Thousands attend air show at Cold Lake base

Canadian military pilots showed off their skills over Cold Lake in one of the Snowbirds' final performances before the tutor jets are grounded and replaced.

Thousands were in Cold Lake, Alta., over the weekend to attend one of the largest air shows in western Canada.

“We do get people from multiple provinces, from different states across the northern U.S. It’s a very big deal. This is the only military air show in Canada this year,” said Lt. Colonel Tristan McKee at Saturday’s event.

About 1,500 military workers were at the two-day event that saw aerial performers, static displays, the Full Throttle music festival, classic cars and more.

The air show serves as the main source of funding for the base fund that provides supports to military members and their families.

During the event, parts of the base were closed off for construction as it prepares to receive several F-35A fighter jets.

“This is a mass reset on the base where we have a whole lot of infrastructure coming in, resetting everything for the F-35As,” said McKee, adding that they are also working to upgrade some of their older buildings.

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Dave Mitchell