SkyFest
651 Airport Rd V2J 6W6 Quesnel, BC, Canada

As many of you have now seen, we have a special part of the paint scheme that can only be seen during flight. In tribute to the many Canadians lost this year du...ring the pandemic and in honour to the role we now get to play as a part of #OpInspiration, the missing 9th Snowbird from our tail art can be found on the bottom of our jet. Represented by the signature Canadian Forces Snowbirds SPEEDBIRD and replicated to the exact dimensions found on the Tutor, this single Snowbird is a tribute to all of those we have lost this past year including all Canadians, members of the Canadian Armed Forces, our airshow family and the Snowbirds own Capt Jenn Casey, who lost her life one year ago today and served as our 2018 Demo Team PAO. They will never be forgotten. #StrongAtHome Derek Heyes

Join us for a live stream on instagram at 9:10PST! Amazing pictures by Lisa Bettany #opinspiration #RCAF #cfsnowbirds #aviation #avgeek

*Commemorating Captain Jenn Casey’s legacy of inspiration* Lieutenant-Colonel Denis Bandet, 431 Air Demonstration (AD) Squadron Commander: Today marks one year... since the tragedy that took the life of our friend and teammate, 431 AD Squadron and Snowbirds’s Public Affairs Officer, Captain Jenn Casey. Jenn Casey embodied the very best of what it means to be a Snowbird. Enthusiastic, warm, witty, a true team player, a leader and an innovative powerhouse. The trust that we had in her to connect with the public was absolute. Our core mission is to inspire, while also representing the amazing men and women of the Canadian Armed Forces, and she was one of our best. Her insight and innovation connected us to you, our public, better than ever before and she ensured our missions were met every day. Her role in our success was only made more clear last year during Operation INSPIRATION where she connected us with millions of Canadians across the country through our social media channels and media interviews. She was the true force and heart behind Op INSPIRATION and it was thanks to her hard work and dedication that the mission was so successful This year, we will again be flying under Op INSPIRATION and carrying on Jenn’s legacy as we attend air shows and conduct flybys across Canada and the United States. We are also proud to have the 2021 CF-18 Demonstration Team joining us on our mission, which is especially moving as Jenn was asked to become a Snowbird following her incredible work as the 2018 CF-18 Demo Team Public Affairs Officer. We are delighted to continue pursuing Jenn’s vision of inspiration and connection. We know it would put a smile on her face to see how many of you she touched and to see the outpouring of love coming from Canadians all over the country and around the world. Thank you for your support, for remembering her and for loving her as much as we did. We know that her indomitable spirit will live on in each and every one of you whose life she touched. We will carry her enthusiasm with us always.

It is with great sadness that we share this tragic news. Ken Fowler is the person who educated, motivated and inspired us to start producing airshows in Quesnel in 2010. He was passionate about airshows and shared his passion without hesitation. He was a father, grandfather, mentor, and good friend to us and many. He will be deeply missed but not forgotten. Blue skies always Ken.

Thanks for the memory Ric Peterson

We are so sad to hear of the tragic loss of our good friend Erissa Yong-Wilson. Erissa volunteered at several Skyfests. Erissa was a pilot, she loved to fly and she loved to ride her Harley. She always had a smile, lived life to the fullest and was an inspiration to many. Your airshow family will miss you Erissa. Blue skies!

A fitting tribute to Canadian Forces Snowbirds Captain Jenn Casey. #LiveLifeLikeJenn Special thanks to Ric Peterson for producing this video.

Bud Granley in his 1938 North American AT-6C/Harvard

Porch Session FB Live Alert... 6 pm on Wednesday, May 27th. Paul will take to his porch to perform Grace,Too in honour of Capt. Jenn Casey, fallen Snowbird. She... was a huge Hip fan and had some lyrics from this song tattooed on her arm. This tribute is intended for her family, her friends and her colleagues so that they know that the nation mourns with them. Royal Canadian Air Force Canadian Forces Snowbirds The Tragically Hip Tune in to Paul's FB Live concert to help pay your respects. See more

You are joining us live from the Halifax International Airport for the homecoming of Captain Jennifer Casey, a military Public Affairs Officer who was killed in... a CF Snowbirds crash during Operation INSPIRATION. #CFSnowbirds Nous sommes en direct à l’Aéroport international d’Halifax afin d’assister au retour de la capitaine Jennifer Casey, officière des affaires publiques militaire qui a perdu la vie dans l’écrasement d’un appareil des Snowbirds des FC pendant l’op INSPIRATION. #SnowbirdsFC

Early this morning, our friend and teammate, Captain Jennifer Casey, lifted off from Abbotsford on a CC-130J Hercules for her journey home to Halifax. In a priv...ate ceremony, we honoured and bid final farewell to our fallen comrade. In the face of this tragedy, the tremendous love and support of people from across Canada, but particularly Kamloops and local First Nations, has been a light in the darkness. From Legion tributes to Drumming Circles to neighborhood support, it has been overwhelmingly encouraging during a very difficult time. We want Canadians, but particularly the people of Kamloops, to know that all the love you have shown for Jenn, Captain Rich MacDougall and the Snowbirds is deeply appreciated, and will never be forgotten. Thank you. Photo by Derek Heyes

Join us in honouring Captain Jennifer Casey, Public Affairs Officer for the Canadian Forces Snowbirds. Captain Casey’s homecoming to Halifax will be streamed LI...VE on this page on Sunday, May 24 at 5 p.m. Atlantic Daylight Time. Captain Casey was lost in an aircraft crash in Kamloops, BC, during Operation INSPIRATION on May 17th.

Captain Jennifer Casey will arrive in Halifax on Sunday, May 24 at 5:00 p.m. ADT. There will be a motorcade to honour her final trip home starting shortly after... her arrival at the airport. If you would like to pay your respects as the motorcade passes, please adhere to COVID-19 guidelines. Capt Casey’s family encourages you to wear red and white (the Snowbird colours) in her honour. Update: Please note that the procession will not exit the Halifax Airport via Bell Blvd, but will instead proceed from the Shell Aerocentre onto Barnes Drive, right onto Baldwin Drive, left onto Pratt & Whitney Drive, right onto Aerotech Dr and then left onto the exit for Highway 102 Southbound to Halifax.

Getting ready to launch for the Snowbirds Memorial Fly By over Quesnel

JENN RETURNS HOME SUNDAY Snowbirds commanding officer Lieutenant-Colonel Mike French says, We will bring our teammate from B.C. and then we’ll get her to her f...amily back in Halifax. The Snowbirds will accompany Jenn on her journey home. The repatriation ceremony is set to begin at 5pm (Halifax local time) on Sunday. It will be live-streamed and is expected to be covered by the major Canadian news networks. The ramp ceremony in Halifax will include her family, an honour guard and dignitaries. It will be followed by a procession through the city and places she spent time in while growing up. Fare thee well Jenn Photo: Patrick Cardinal.