Fun abounds with the Snowbirds, Echo Beach and ole in London

   One-Tank Trip for May 25/13

  

   (c) By Jim Fox

   Warm-weather fun takes to the skies over Niagara and Waterloo Region while they’ll be hitting the beach in Toronto and its fiesta time in London.

   Look, up in the sky

Canadian Forces Snowbirds

   The Canadian Forces Snowbirds are roaring back to present a new season of aerial teamwork and discipline.

   In a first of its kind, the Snowbirds will perform a 25-minute, non-aerobatic show over Niagara Falls on May 29 at 6 p.m.

   Then, they roar off to dazzle the crowds on June 1 and 2 at the Waterloo Air Show in Breslau, just west of Kitchener.

   They’ll be joined by wing-walking Jane Wicker, the Smoke-N-Thunder Jet Car and Disney’s Dusty at the Region of Waterloo International Airport.

   The Snowbirds will be accompanied by the Canadian Forces’ CF-18 Demonstration jet in a show that publicist Diana Spremo said will be bigger and better than ever.

   “There are new acts, a bigger static display, Food Truck Alley and the inclusion of the Canadian Aviation Expo, Canada’s premier aviation expo and trade show,” she said.

   American Jane Wicker will demonstrate the daring art of wing walking with no safety line or parachute.

   On the wing of a vintage biplane, Wicker climbs, walks and hangs all over the Boeing Stearman as it soars through the sky.

   Dusty, the star of Disney's new 3-D animated comedy movie Planes, will be making his only Canadian appearance.

  

Dusty, star of the Disney’s new animated movie Planes

Described as a crop duster with “dreams of competing as a high-flying air racer,” Dusty comes to life with the help of an Air Tractor AT-301 and customized paint scheme.

   Watch Bill Braack as his jet car screams down the runway trailing a plume of flames and smoke while Gord Price will show decades of aerobatic flying experience in a Russian Yak 50.

   The enlarged static display will include two military Hercules planes, the Royal Canadian Air Force’s Harvard II and Hawk training aircraft, a Griffon helicopter and Second World War bombers.

 

Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association

  The Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association of Tillsonburg will have a four-plane formation team; Wayne Hadath of Kitchener races his home-built F1-Rocket; and the Jet Aircraft Museum shows the T-33 Silver Star (Mako Shark).

   Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with the air show from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., both days. Parking is free or $5 off-site with a shuttle.

   Tickets at the gate are $28.25 (tax included); $16.95, seniors; $11.30, children, five to 12; and VIP Sky Chalet Tent seats at $169.50, with food and drinks. Ticket discounts are available online: waterlooairshow.com; (519) 341-4742

   They’ll be barefootin’

   They’re hitting the beach for an “amazing summer lineup” of entertainment next to the Molson Amphitheatre on Toronto’s lakefront.

   As the city’s biggest outdoor venue, the amphitheatre has expanded its sister site on Echo Beach, said publicist Chris Lackner.

It will be rocking at the expanded Echo Beach next to the Molson Amphitheatre on Toronto’s lakefront.

   “It’s Toronto's only beachfront venue where you can literally exchange your shoes for sandals,” he said.

   What’s more, the beach “captures the romance, sights and sounds of summer unlike any other concert locale,” he added.

   Highlights of the beachfront lineup include Alabama Shakes, Bjork, Sam Roberts Band, Fall Out Boy and Dropkick Murphys.

   Over at the amphitheatre, highlights include the kickoff on May 28 with the Dave Matthews Band and on May 31, country star Brad Paisley.

The hard rockers Kiss will perform at the Molson Amphitheatre

   Also upcoming are Bruno Mars, Phish and Depeche Mode’s return to North America, Steely Dan, Tim McGraw, Kiss, Blue Rodeo and Kelly Clarkson.

   Toronto’s Barenaked Ladies, with Ben Folds Five, and marking their 25th anniversary appear on July 11.

   Both venues are at 909 Lake Shore Blvd. W. Tickets: livenation.com; Ticketmaster, 1-855-985-5000

   Ole, feeling the heat

   Time to spice things up at Fiesta London’s Mexican Festival on June 9 from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. at Covent Garden Market.

  Folkloric dancers will be dazzle at Fiesta London’s Mexican Festival.

   “Join in on the fun as we celebrate a full day of fun, food, folklore and fiesta for everyone,” said George Perez, chairperson.

   The fun includes jalapeno and taco-eating contests and a burrito-eating challenge along with sampling Mexican, Colombian, Salvadorian and Nicaraguan food.

   There will also be a Chihuahua costume parade, folkloric dancers, cultural exhibits, craft vendors and traditional pinata breaking. http://fiestalondon.lajornada.ca; (519) 488-5430

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Jim Fox can be reached at onetanktrips@hotmail.com

For more One-Tank Trips: http://1tanktrips.blogspot.ca