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Weather causes cancellation of Snowbirds' Prince Rupert performance

Rotary Waterfront Park was packed on the afternoon of August 4 as people from across the northwest came to Prince Rupert to take in a performance by the Canadian Forces Snowbirds - unfortunately Mother Nature was uncooperative and the show was cancelled.
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The Canadian Forces Snowbirds do a flypast over downtown Prince Rupert.

Rotary Waterfront Park was packed on the afternoon of August 4 as people from across the northwest came to Prince Rupert to take in a performance by the Canadian Forces Snowbirds - unfortunately Mother Nature was uncooperative and the show was cancelled.

With rain clouds hiding much of Digby Island from view, Captain Marc Velasco made the announcement shortly after 5:30 p.m., just half an hour before the show was to start.

"The Canadian Forces Snowbirds regret that we have to cancel our Prince Rupert performance due to weather. It is with the safety of the spectators and the pilots that we make this call," he said.

"Currently there is less than 1,000 feet of clearance from the cloud and the Snowbirds require a minimum of 1,000 feet and three miles horizontal visibility in order to fly. As a result we must cancel the show...The men and the women of the Canadian Forces Snowbirds are proud to perform for Canadians. Whenever we make this call it is a tough one, but it is the right one for the safety of the public."

The cancellation comes just one day after the Snowbirds arrived in town and after months of planning by the Prince Rupert Snowbirds Committee. And while disappointed, Captain Velasco said the Snowbirds enjoyed their time in the community.

"The citizens of Prince Rupert have provided fantastic hospitality, including a great evening event last night at the Museum of Northern BC. We have been treated with great respect," he said.

"Hopefully we'll be able to return to Prince Rupert to perform in the future."