Volunteers needed for Snowbird event

The Snowbirds are coming to Niagara-on-the-Lake, and event organizers are looking for volunteers to help out.

The Niagara Historical Society and Museum is bringing the group to town on Sept. 11, as a fundraiser, with a goal of raising $20,000 for renovations and expansion.

Tickets can be purchased online for V.I.P section or for general admission, but there is a third alternative, says Cheryl Morris, who has volunteered to do the marketing and communications for the event.

You can join the team of volunteers putting on the much-awaited Canadian Forces Snowbirds Aerobatics show and help organizers with the important work of putting on a great event that will draw 3,000 people, and have a close-up view of the performance.

But organizers are also looking for help Sept. 9, 10 and 12.

On Sept. 11, about 40 volunteers are needed to work various shifts, depending on their assignment, to help with parking, selling souvenirs and general duties associated with hosting an event that draws a crowd of that size, says Morris.

To volunteer, you should be able to stand outdoors for a few hours, and be patient and helpful with visitors, she says.

They are also looking for four volunteers to help set up parking Sept. 9 and 10, and another four people Sept. 12 to get the airport back to normal.

For those planning to buy tickets, they can be purchased through the event’s website, at notlsnowbirds.ca.

V.I.P. tickets are $90 ($35 for guests aged 2 to 18). V.I.P. access will include food stations from Niagara Catering/Pig Out; two free drinks supplied by either Konzelmann Estate Winery or The Exchange Brewery; cash bar for further drinks; a chance to meet the Snowbirds, talk with them and get photos; and an optimum viewing site.

“It’s a great place to see the show, from inside the hangar,” says Morris. There are 400 tickets available for this option.

General access tickets are $10 per person. Entry is free for those 12 and under. This area will feature food trucks from PigOut, Johnny Rocco’s, Hometown Ice Cream and Train Coffee. The Niagara Region Water Wagon will be there too, so bring your own reusable water bottles.

Morris suggests people bring their own chair or blanket for seating. It’s an optimal viewing point, and there is also an opportunity to meet the Snowbird pilots through the security fence, she says.

Parking is free for all guests.

Gates open at 2 p.m., providing access to an aircraft display with military and vintage planes and to food trucks. The Geronimo skydiving team will begin performing at 3 p.m.

If you’re interested in volunteering, please contact [email protected].

For more information about the show visit notlsnowbirds.ca.