‘Fly-in’ BBQ coming up Organizer hoping for good weather

FORT FRANCES—Having organized the “Fly-in Drive-in BBQ” at the Fort Frances Airport for eight years now, Bruce Caldwell is hoping to see as many people out for the Saturday, Sept. 8 event as there were last year.
“If it’s a nice day, we should see a lot of people,” Caldwell noted Monday. “Last year was very good. The weather was good, and I think there were around 400 people through the gate.”

As in past years, the event will feature pilots from this area, as well as ones flying in from Thunder Bay and parts of Manitoba, along with antique cars, motorcycles, and radio-controlled planes for people to see.
“Every airport within maybe a 300-mile radius got a poster telling them about it,” noted Caldwell. “If we can get a day like some we’ve had in the past two or three weeks, we should be good.”
Caldwell said he’s trying to get a search-and-rescue plane from Winnipeg for a demonstration here, but admitted there’s only an “outside chance” it will be available that day.
He also said he may possibly get in the OPP’s Pilatus PC 12/45 fixed-wing aircraft, which most recently was at the fly-in barbecue back in 2005.
“It depends on what they’re doing, if they’re busy,” noted Caldwell. “They’re real good ambassadors for the OPP.”
While the annual event usually draws airplane enthusiasts by the droves, Caldwell stressed everyone is welcome and that you don’t have to be a pilot or part of any club to get in.
Admission is free.
Caldwell also said everyone is welcome to bring their cars, motorcycles, and radio-controlled airplanes to the fly-in barbecue (for those who need encouragement to show off their models, a People’s Choice plaque will be awarded for one entry in each of those categories).
The event also will feature a pancake breakfast, which will run from 9-11 a.m., followed by a barbecue from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.—both put on by the local 908 Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron.
There will be a small fee for the food, with visiting pilots getting their meals for free. All proceeds will go to the air cadets.
Caldwell stressed the event, which he’s enjoyed organizing since its inception, was designed to showcase the local airport by having private pilots fly in here for the day.
In recent years, however, it’s become more and more about supporting the local air cadet squadron.
For more info, call Caldwell at 274-3070.
(Fort Frances Times)