The Snowbirds, the world-famous Canadian Forces aviation troupe, lead the Soaring Over the Souris air show at the Minot International Airport on July 4.
After making a stop in Minot last year and seeing the damage caused by the Souris River flood, the Snowbirds team requested the chance to perform in the city to help raise money for flood recovery.
The air show is free but all proceeds for the day will go to the Minot Area Community Foundation for flood recovery.
Capt. Thomas Edelson, public affairs officer for the Snowbirds, in an interview Monday, noted the Canadian flood prairies also were subjected to flood waters and there's a sense of commonality with Minot.
"To get the opportunity to fly in America on July 4th Independence Day is an honor," Edelson said.
He said the Snowbirds always fly Canada's national holiday this week in Ottawa just prior to coming to Minot. "Getting to do both of them in the same week, one in Canada and one in the states, is an opportunity that just couldn't be missed," he added.
Fact Box
Air show schedule
Gates open at 3 p.m.
Static displays Blackhawk helicopter from the North Dakota National Guard, UH-1N "Huey" helicopter from Minot Air Force Base, and many vehicles used during flood recovery.
4-6 p.m. Model aircraft fly.
6 p.m. Opening ceremony.
6:30 p.m. Sky divers national anthems planes take off.
7:10 p.m. Kent Pietsch comedy act.
7:20 p.m. B-52 fly-by.
7:30 p.m. UH-1N fly-by.
7:55 p.m. Kent Pietsch dead stick performance.
8 p.m. Snowbirds show.
8:45 p.m. Warren and Kent Pietsch dual show, followed by Warren Pietsch solo.
9:10 p.m. Dan Dempsey and Hawk One.
9:15 p.m. Texas Flying Legends Museum warbirds.
10:30 p.m. Kent Pietsch night show.
10:45 p.m. Fireworks.
Free shuttle bus service will be offered from ING, MLT, and the Minot State University Dome parking lots. Shuttle service will begin at 3 p.m. and go through 7 p.m. The shuttle service will begin again at 10 p.m. until midnight.
People are reminded to bring lawn chairs and blankets
No fireworks, outside food or beverage will be allowed.
Concessions are available.
The Snowbirds are based at Moose Jaw, Sask., about 265 miles northwest of Minot.
Edelson said one of the differences with the Snowbirds compared to other demonstration teams in North America is the Snowbirds have nine planes, making them the largest demonstration team in North America.
The team flies Canadian-made CT-114 Tutor aircraft.
Air shows are contingent on the weather. "As you know air shows are rather dependent if the weather is terrible, no one flies; if the weather is marginal, you have to adjust the show to the meteorological conditions.
"But if we have good weather, we're going to fly our high show which is about 35 minutes very, very close formations, very good bursts and interesting passes... It's a very exciting and graceful performance," Edelson said.
The air show is presented by the Dakota Territory Air Museum in Minot and the City of Minot.