2026 Barrie Airshow Presented by Pratt Homes

Featured Performers

• Canadian Forces Snowbirds (431 Air Demonstration Squadron)

  Celebrating their 55^th show season, the Canadian Forces Snowbirds are a Canadian icon, formed by the men and women of 431 Air Demonstration Squadron. Their team is made up of highly skilled pilots, technicians, and support personnel from across Canada who represent the Canadian Armed Forces, including Army, Navy, and Air Force. Their dedication to excellence is embodied in the awe-inspiring aerobatics of red and white CT-114 Tutor jets in the sky overhead, flying at speeds between 100 and 320 knots and often in formations with as much as four feet of wing overlap.

  The team showcases the skill, professionalism, and teamwork of the Canadian Armed Forces and inspires the pursuit of excellence wherever they perform across North America. Watch for their twinkling lights in the sky over Kempenfelt Bay as we welcome them back to the Barrie Airshow!

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• Canadian Armed Forces SkyHawks Parachute Team

  The Canadian Armed Forces SkyHawks Parachute Team are Canada’s only military parachute demonstration team. The team is made up of 15 demonstrators from the Canadian Army and the Canadian Rangers demonstrating professionalism, dedication, and teamwork.

  Established in 1971, the SkyHawks have represented Canada and the Canadian Armed Forces for 55 years with pride, performing in front of over 73 million spectators world-wide. The team builds complex formations in the sky by bringing their signature Canadian Flag parachutes in close proximity to each other for a thrilling performance. These aerobatic parachute formations require a high level of skill and courage, and is known as Canopy Relative Work.

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• CF-18 Tactical Demonstration

  A staple on the Canadian airshow scene since 1983, CF-18 demonstrations showcase the high level of skill, professionalism, and teamwork inherent in the members of the RCAF and inspire future aviators.

  The 2026 Barrie Airshow will include one of only a few appearances of the CF-18 Hornet being flown at airshows across Canada this year, featuring a thrilling tactical demonstration by highly skilled pilots from Cold Lake or Bagotville in an operational grey aircraft.

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• CH-146 Griffon Helicopter Demonstration (400 Tactical Helicopter Squadron)

  Enjoy a tactical demonstration from the CH-146 Griffon utility tactical-transport helicopter over Kempenfelt Bay. The aircraft supports the tactical transportation of troops and material, as well as search and rescue operations, surveillance and reconnaissance, training, casualty evacuations, and counter-drug operations.

  The Griffon features GPS-satellite navigation and Doppler-radar systems. It can be fitted with a variety of equipment including self-defence weapons, a powerful searchlight, and a hoist to extract people and cargo from almost any terrain.

• Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association

  The mission of the Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association (CHAA) is to acquire, preserve, restore, display and demonstrate the Harvard and other training aircraft associated with the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan and the Royal Canadian Air Force.

  The Harvard played a significant role in the RCAF’s history during World War II. Dubbed “the pilot maker,” the single-engine Harvard was a familiar sight and sound at air bases across Canada. CHAA was created in 1985 from a passion to keep the legacy of these aircraft alive and honour those who trained in them and served their country.

  Based out of Tillsonburg, Ontario, CHAA’s four-ship formation flying honours the past and inspires the future.

• Edenvale Classic Aircraft Foundation | PT-26 Cornell & DH82a Tiger Moth

  The Edenvale Classic Aircraft Foundation (ECAF) was established in 1986 and is based out of Edenvale Aerodrome on Hwy 26 between Barrie and Collingwood. The airfield opened in October 1941 as part of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan and served as No 1 Relief Field for Harvard operations at Camp Borden during World War II. 

  DH82a Tiger Moth 

  The de Havilland Tiger Moth is a two-seat biplane that first flew in 1931. Known for its simple handing and rugged design, it was widely used as a primary trainer during World War II. 

  ECAF’s Tiger Moth is actually the British version, used by the Royal Air Force and distinguished by its fully open cockpit and tail skid. It was manufactured by Morris Motors in Cowley, England in 1943, then spent time in Britain, France, Ireland, and the United States before finding a home with ECAF in 1990. 

  PT-26 Cornell 

  The PT-26 Cornell was designed by Fairchild and is one of one of 1565 proudly manufactured in Canada by Fleet Aircraft Ltd for the RCAF during World War II. It was a rugged and dependable primary trainer for the RCAF starting in 1942. ECAF’s Cornell was built in 1943 and joined the RCAF No. 1 Training Command in 1944, and it has been with ECAF since 2014. 

• Jet Aircraft Museum CT-133 Silver Star “Red Knight”

  Brought to you by the Royal Canadian Air Force 441 (Huronia) Wing and Rudy Mak Surveying Ltd.

  The Jet Aircraft Museum (JAM) started in 2007 when the founding group had the opportunity to purchase CT-133 aircraft from the Canadian Department of Defence. This two-seater jet, built by Canadair in Montreal, was the workhorse trainer for Canada’s Armed Forces for some 50 years.

  Restoration of the "Red Knight" started in 2015, and members of the Museum decided they wanted to commemorate the Red Knight aircraft and pilots who flew in the 1950s and 60s. The aircraft was painted and given a Certificate of Airworthiness in 2017.  

  JAM is based in London, Ontario and exists to maintain a living history of the modern age Royal Canadian Air Force, and to provide permanent honour to the valiant Canadian men and women who flew these aircraft. Their mission is to “Preserve, Educate, and Soar”, and they have a vast aviation artifact collection in addition to the CT-133, CF-101 Voodoo, De Havilland Vampire, and CT-114 Tutor.

• Northern Stars Aeroteam

  Brought to you by Commissionaires

  Drawing on their heritage as veteran RCAF pilots, Todd Farrell, Greg Hume-Powell, and Mario Hamel are the Northern Stars Aeroteam. Flying the classic Pitts Special in tight, precision formations and wringing it out with exciting freestyle maneuvers, the Northern Stars are a highlight of the Barrie Airshow with their local connection! The show starts off with a dramatic opposing pass followed by fast paced, solo surface-level aerobatics before being joined by the other two for precise loops, rolls and much more in tight, military-style formation with billowing airshow smoke.

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• Redline Airshows

  Brought to you by Partners REIT

  Redline Airshows is a close, two plane formation aerobatic performance team bringing two unique performances to the Barrie Airshow. They will light up the sky with a stunning pyrotechnics night performance during Saturday’s show and thrill audiences with their aerobatic show on Sunday. 

  Ken Rieder has been flying for 35 years with over 13,000 flying hours. He’s also a flight and aerobatic instructor, and he has a love for building aircraft in his spare time. Austin Rieder has been flying for 13 years with more than half of his flying time on his father’s wing. He first soloed in a glider at the age of 14 followed by powered aircraft at 16 years old. This father and son team fly the Van’s RV-8 aircraft capable of speeds up to 230 miles per hour.

Announcers

• Ken Hildebrandt

  Ken Hildebrandt’s obsession with the sky began as a young boy under the busy flight patterns of Abbotsford Airport as he listened to the voices over the loudspeakers, captivated by how they turned a flight routine into a legendary experience. In 2005, Ken stepped behind the microphone under the mentorship of industry legends and today he has brought his voice to stages across the world.

  Every airshow has a story to tell – whether it’s the roar of the CF-18 or graceful lines of a vintage warbird, Ken will build the bridge between the cockpit and the crowd at this year’s Barrie Airshow.

• Michel Benoit

  Since the 1990s, Michel Benoit has been the French voice of many airshows in Canada. Michel had the honour of announcing the RCAF 100^th anniversary flypast of 49 aircraft on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on July 1, 2024. Professionalism, passion, and precision define his approach as he leads us through the amazing line-up of military and civilian aircraft at the Barrie Airshow.

• Heritage Park & Meridian Place

  • All Smoked Up BBQ (ASU BBQ) – Pulled pork, brisket, BBQ chicken, smash burgers, loaded chips, nachos & BBQ bowls
  • Beach Blends Lemonade – Fresh squeezed artisanal lemonade & Italian sodas
  • Beavertails Simcoe Muskoka Mobile – BeaverTails pastries
  • Glad I Ate Here Food Truck, Lemonade & ICEE – Specialty poutines, chicken tenders, fresh lemonade & ICEE treats
  • KabZza – Authentic Mexican street food
  • Kiwanis Club of Barrie – Fries, hamburgers, hot dogs, sausages & peameal bacon
  • Lisa Marie’s Hawaiian Shaved Ice – Hawaiian shaved ice treats (Sunday only)
  • Mr C’s Freeze Dried Treats – Freeze dried candy
  • Mr Cool Soft Ice Cream – Ice cream, popsicles & slushies
  • Smoke’s Poutinerie – Classic poutine favourites
  • Super Crunch Tanghulu – Smoothies, candy fruit & chocolate strawberry cups
  • Teamate LTD – Bubble tea, fruit tea, matcha drinks & Korean snacks
  • Vital Link Ice Cream & Event Marketing Inc. – Ice cream novelties
• Centennial Park

  • Angel’s Streetery – Gourmet grilled cheese, mac & cheese, salads & fries
  • Came to Fil Up – Brisket & pulled pork sandwiches, poutines, skewers, fried rice & noodles
  • Domino’s Pizza – Pizza & drinks
  • Hero Kitchen – Sushi tacos, chow mein, Korean fried chicken, bubble waffles & milk teas

Airshow Viewing Information

• Viewing from the Shore

  The best locations to view the show will be at Heritage Park, Centennial Park, Will Dwyer Park, South Shore Park, Allandale Station Park, Minet’s Point Park, or any of the small parks along the north and south shores of Kempenfelt Bay.

• Viewing from the Water

  To ensure the safety of both the public and the airshow participants during this exciting event, public viewing by boat is permitted east of the safety line between Brentwood Marine and Johnson’s Beach Park. Boats and water-based activities are restricted west of that line. See "Public Notifications & Restrictions" information below for dates and times. 

Public Notifications & Restrictions

• Water Access Restrictions

  For the safety of the public and airshow performers, a safety line is in place from Brentwood Marine to Johnson’s Beach Park. Water access and water-based activities are restricted in the area west of the line (including Centennial Park and Minet’s Point Park) during the following times*:  

  • Friday, June 12, 10am–4pm
  • Saturday, June 13, 4–10:30pm
  • Sunday, June 14, 12–6pm

  Restricted activities include boating, access in and out of the marina and boat launches, swimming, kayaking, canoeing, stand up paddle boarding, etc. The safety line will be enforced by the Barrie Police and their service partners on Lake Simcoe.

  *Times are approximate and subject to change on the day

• Boat Launch & Marina Access

  The Tiffin Boat Launch will be closed starting June 12 and will reopen at 6pm on June 14.

  Access to the boat launch at the City of Barrie Marina will be limited. Access in/out of the Marina by water will not be permitted during the following times:

  • Friday, June 12, 10am–4pm
  • Saturday, June 13, 4–10:30pm
  • Sunday, June 14, 12–6pm

  Launches will be busy and parking limited. To reduce congestion, boaters are encouraged to consider using nearby public launches, including Innisfil, Orillia area, Shanty Bay Oro Line 2 and Oro Line 9.

• No Drone Zone

  Operating a drone or any radio-controlled aircraft inside a restricted air space without authorization is a serious safety concern and is strictly prohibited. You could face significant penalties, so please leave your drone at home and enjoy the show. Airspace safety at the Barrie Airshow is enhanced with counter-drone technology from Infinit Drones.

• Personal Safety

  For your personal safety, please consider:

  • Wearing ear protection, especially for children
  • Wearing a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
  • Hydrating often

  There will be many food/drink vendors on site, and water refill stations located in Meridian Place and Centennial Park.

• Airshow Commentary & Announcements

  Tune in to 87.9FM from around the waterfront to follow along with airshow commentary, special announcements and safety messages during the show.

Getting Around

• Free Airshow Shuttle

  Take the FREE Airshow Shuttle, easily accessed from Highway 400 and connected to Barrie Transit! Park and ride the designated Barrie Transit shuttle buses from the Park Place Transit Hub (near 149 Live Eight Way), the H-Block Parking Lot (50 Worsley Street) or from any shuttle stop along the route including the Barrie Allandale Transit Terminal, along Lakeshore Drive and downtown on Bayfield Street.

  The shuttle runs:

  • Saturday, June 13, 12–10:20pm
  • Sunday, June 14, 10am–5:50pm

  Shuttles operate on Barrie Transit buses, which are accessible and can be tracked on myridebarrie.ca.

• Road Closures

  The following road closures will be in effect for the Barrie Airshow:

  • Dunlop Street (Maple to Mulcaster) from 5am on Saturday, June 13 to 3am on Monday, June 15
  • Simcoe Street (Bayfield to Dunlop) from 6am on Saturday, June 13 to 7pm on Sunday, June 14
• Parking

  There's plenty of parking available within walking distance along the waterfront and throughout the downtown. Downtown parking is free on weekday evenings after 5pm and on weekends. Waterfront parking is $15/hour with a daily max of $60. Those with a digital waterfront parking permit, can park for free in designated waterfront areas. For more information about where to park, view the interactive municipal parking map.