The Canadian Forces Snowbirds鈥� are returning to the skies over White Rock next week 鈥� though on a different date than first announced 鈥� but officials say due to continued pandemic-related limits on gatherings, the visit will be simply a flyover, and they鈥檙e discouraging residents and visitors alike from rushing to the waterfront to witness it.

鈥淚t鈥檚 not an event like an airshow and we don鈥檛 want to portray it as anything more than it actually is,鈥� Mayor Darryl Walker said Friday (July 9).

鈥淲e鈥檙e hoping that local residents have an opportunity to enjoy it鈥� (but) we have to continue to respect the public health orders 鈥� that鈥檚 really the message that we want to deliver.鈥�

Snowbirds public affairs officer Capt. Gabriel Ferris said Friday that the 鈥榖irds are planning to buzz by between 3 and 4 p.m. on Friday, July 16 鈥� two days ahead of the July 18 date that was announced in December. The details, he noted, 鈥渁re not set in stone yet and could still change depending on operations.鈥�

In past years, the Snowbirds鈥� visits to White Rock have drawn tens of thousands of people to gather along the city鈥檚 waterfront and hillsides to take in the aerobatic show. It is part of a cross-country tour and raises money for the CH.I.L.D. Foundation, which funds research for children suffering from Crohn鈥檚 disease, ulcerative colitis and liver disorders.

Usually, it鈥檚 鈥渁 great show that is 30 to 45 minutes long 鈥� they鈥檙e not going to do that,鈥� CH.I.L.D. CEO and president Mary McCarthy Parsons said Wednesday (July 7).

鈥淭he White Rock one is going to be flying by, dipping their wings and saying, 鈥楽ee you in 2022.鈥欌��

The visit was announced by the Snowbirds in a Dec. 8 tweet of their 2021 schedule, which is continuing to honour the legacy of Capt. Jennifer Casey, the Royal Canadian Air Force public affairs officer who died in May 2020 when the jet she was a passenger in crashed shortly after takeoff. The tragedy also injured pilot Capt. Richard MacDougall.

READ MORE:

READ MORE:

READ MORE:

McCarthy Parsons said the Snowbirds have been ambassadors for the CH.I.L.D Foundation for 鈥渕any, many years,鈥� and that the 鈥楩ly for CH.I.L.D鈥� events are typically a significant source of funds for the non-profit, which gives $1 million annually in research funding.

The last time the squadron was here, in 2017, around $50,000 was raised for the cause.

But with B.C.鈥檚 Restart plan limiting outdoor gatherings to 5,000 people until at least Sept. 7, McCarthy Parsons said she doesn鈥檛 see how they鈥檒l get anywhere close to that amount in White Rock this year. A chunk of funds is typically generated during the show, through the sale of merchandise and on-site collection of donations.

In an effort to fill some of that gap, pamphlets explaining the cause and how to donate are being delivered to targeted homes in White Rock, but 鈥渢he whole of White Rock isn鈥檛 going to be covered,鈥� she said.

While loyal donors have helped the organization keep its head above water during the pandemic, 鈥渨e miss these fundraising events,鈥� she said.

Walker said the limited appearance is just par for the course this year.

鈥淭his has been one of those years,鈥� he said. 鈥淭wo years ago, it was all kinds of events all summer鈥� White Rock was vibrant, it was buzzing.

鈥淭hat鈥檚 not this year, and we understand that. We don鈥檛 like it, but we accept it. Next year, we hope to start up again 鈥� Tour de White Rock, Sea Festival, all the concerts and so on 鈥� but not this year.鈥�

If the Snowbirds are able to schedule a full show over White Rock in 2022, 鈥渨e will make an event,鈥� Walker added, noting planning is already underway to create a permanent tribute to the Snowbirds at the pier; a storyboard 鈥渢hat portrays the importance of the Snowbirds to the country and to the culture of the country.鈥�

鈥淭hat in and of itself should be an event, and should be something that鈥檚 done with a representative of the Snowbirds.鈥�

They鈥檇 also like to do something to recognize Casey, he said.

McCarthy Parsons said while the show can鈥檛 go on this year, donations to the CH.I.L.D. Foundation continue to be greatly appreciated. They may be made online at