The Canadian Forces Snowbirds took to the skies over the Spencerville Fair on Sunday, drawing spectators from across the region and beyond, for one of the team’s final eastern Ontario appearances with the iconic CT-114 Tutor. The roughly 15-minute non-aerobatic display saw the nine-jet team fly over the fairgrounds in several formations, giving crowds below a close-up look at the red-and-white aircraft during their farewell season. For some spectators, it was their first time seeing the Snowbirds in person. “I’ve never seen them,” said Prescott resident Marie Churma. “I love jets, I love planes, and I’d like to see them because I’ve heard so much about them.” The appearance came during the 171st edition of the Spencerville Fair, which ran from Thursday to Sunday. The Royal Canadian Air Force officially listed Sunday’s Spencerville appearance as a flypast or non-aerobatic display. Eric Connell, first vice-president of the Spencerville Agricultural Society, said the appearance generated significant interest well beyond the community. “We have people coming all the way from Florida,” Connell said. “I have people who drove and arrived this morning from Saint John’s. So, it’s kind of a huge deal.” Connell said it was the first time the Snowbirds had appeared over the Spencerville Fair. “It means a great deal to the community to have this happening in our small little town,” he said. The appearance also carried added significance because 2026 marks the Snowbirds’ final season flying the CT-114 Tutor. The Snowbirds have flown the Tutor since the team was formed in 1971. The aircraft itself has served with the Canadian Armed Forces since 1963 and is being retired following the 2026 air show season. Snowbird 10 Capt. Jeremy Dionne said the team has been trying to reach as many communities as possible during the farewell tour. “It’s the last year with the mighty Tutor,” Dionne said. “We try to get a lot of places for a farewell tour, and Spencerville was one of them.” “It’s fun to be in smaller communities where we can reach people that will not maybe go to the big cities to see the show,” Dionne said. “When we go into their city, they are usually pretty appreciative of that.” Sunday’s performance was not a full aerobatic air show, but Dionne said the team was still able to perform several manoeuvres and formation changes. For the Dudgeon family, the display also became a generational moment. Emily Dudgeon said she was around her daughter’s age when she first saw the Snowbirds. “I was probably her age when I saw them the first,” she said. “So, it was pretty special seeing them.” Her daughter Amelia had a simpler review. “It was good,” she said. “I liked how they flew over us.” For longtime spectators, the farewell season made the display more emotional. “It’s very emotional, actually, to see it fly by like this,” said spectator Craig Kelso. “It’s quite an outstanding moment for everybody here in the community.” The Spencerville appearance was one of several stops on the Snowbirds’ 2026 schedule. The team is scheduled to perform another non-aerobatic display in Kingston on Tuesday. Their next performance is scheduled in Gatineau next weekend.
