Held at the Minot International Airport beginning at 4 p.m., the air show is presented by the Dakota Territory Air Museum in Minot.

The air show will honor the late retired Lt. Col. D.F. “Yogi” Huyghebaert, a former commander of the Snowbirds. Huyghebaert also was a Saskatchewan government minister. He died Aug. 2, 2018, at age 74.

Snowbirds Team

Members of the 2019th Snowbirds team are: Maj. Denis Bandet, team lead from Regina, Saskatchewan; Capt. Sarah Dallaire, inner right wing from Levis, Quebec; Capt. Stephen McKeen, inner left wing from Leven, Scotland; Capt. Scott Boyd, Capt. Kevin Domon-Grenier, second line astern from Saint-Raymond de Portneuf, Quebec; Maj. Bassam Mnaymneh, outer right wing from Windsor, Ontario; Capt. Pierre-Marc Deschenes, outer left wing from Tadoussac, Quebec; Capt. Logan Reid, opposing solo from Victoria, British Columbia; Capt. Taylor Evans, lead solo from Canmore, Alberta; Capt. Ari Mahajan, coordinator from Delta, British Columbia; and Capt. Robbie Hindle, coordinator from Midland, Ontario.

Kent Pietsch and his Jelly Belly plane. Submitted Photo

The display of the nine-jet precision flying by the Snowbirds is made possible with a highly skilled and dedicated team of pilots, technicians (aviation, avionics, aircraft structure, supply), mobile support operators, resource management support clerks, engineers, a logistics officer and a public affairs officer, according to a Snowbirds news release.

“Together, while serving as ambassadors, all members of the Snowbirds showcase the skill, professionalism and teamwork inherent in the women and men of the Canadian Armed Forces,” the news release said.

The Snowbirds, based out of 15 Wing Moose Jaw in Saskatchewan, fly the CT-114 Tutor aircraft that was designed and built in Canada by Canadair as the Canadian Armed Forces primary jet trainer until it was replaced by the CT-155 Hawk and CT-156 Harvard II in 2000.

Other Air Show Performers

Besides the Snowbirds, other July 4 air show performers include:

Brent Handy in the Pitts. Handy and Todd Farrell will also perform a Pitts dual act. Submitted Photo

– Local pilot Kent Pietsch performing with the “Jelly Belly” Interstate Cadet routines including dead stick and a truck top landing. He will also fly the Starduster.

– Local pilot Warren Pietsch with the Taylorcraft and Schnortzummer.

– Brent Handy, former Snowbirds pilot who has Brent Handy Aerobatics, with the Pitts.

– Todd Farrell, former Royal Canadian Air Force pilot and now air show performer from southeastern Ontario, with the Pitts.

– Brent Handy and Todd Farrell will perform a two-plane aerobatic routine.

Paul Lindemann in his Pitts S-2B. Submitted Photo

– Paul Lindemann of Valley City with the Pitts S-2B.

– Jarrod Lindemann of Valley City with the Red Baron Stearman.

– Drone demonstration by Cory Vingle of Minot’s SkySkopes.

– Warren Pietsch in the Spitfire and Bernie Vasquez of Vacaville, Calif., in the P-40 will also perform.

Many volunteers will be helping with the air show.

Jarrod Lindemann in the Red Baron Stearman. Submitted Photos

Meet the Pilots

Meet the Pilots is an event open to the public on July 3 from 6-9 p.m., with a 7 p.m. program, at the Dakota Territory Air Museum, Minot.

Special guests attending will include Kelly Armstrong, North Dakota congressman; Guillaume Lacroix, French Consul General in Chicago; James Dat, Scientific Attache of the Consulate General in Chicago; Ariel Delouya, Consul General at the Consulate General of Canada in Minneapolis; Ag Consul Steve Buchta; and Canada’s Honorary Consul in North Dakota Rod Backman. Pilots in the July 4 air show will be introduced during the event. Perry Olson will be master of ceremonies.

Planes will be available for viewing on the ramp. Food and beverages will be available for sale. Admission is air museum admission: $10 for adults, $5 for ages 6-17 or $20, family. Children 5 and under, no admission cost. Active-duty military are half price. The air museum is located at 100-34th Avenue NE, north of the Minot International Airport.

Entrance, concessions, etc.

The P-40 Warhawk, shown here, flown by Bernie Vasquez, will fly with the Spitfire in the July 4 air show. Eloise Ogden/MDN

Entrance to the air show will be the southeast side of the airport. Signs will direct traffic. Parking will be available in the area.

Concessions will be available on site.

People can bring lawn chairs or blankets. No coolers will be allowed inside and security searches can be expected.

Eloise Ogden/MDN The British Spitfire will be one of the planes Warren Pietsch will fly in the air show on July 4.