The Vermilion River Flying Club wanted to sponsor a fun event to:

• Raise the profile of YVG
• Give local residents a chance to learn about their airport
• Promote YVG to the aviation community
• Bring flyers to YVG to see what Vermilon has to offer

A Fly-In Breakfast seemed like a good idea.

Planning began in March, 2024 for an event on Father’s Day – June 16, 2024.

When it seemed like the 19-member club might not have enough manpower available, the local Knights of Columbus, already serving a successful monthly pancake breakfast, were invited to host breakfast at the airport.

The Knights accepted.

That decided, the club forged ahead.

Donations

The Town of Vermilion donated tables, traffic barricades, garbage bins and cleanup, and committed to grass cutting and weed control just before the event.

The Vermilion Agricultural Society, the group behind the hugely successful annual fair, donated chairs.

Trade booths

Select local businesses accepted the invitation to set up booths under canvas:

• Burnt Rock Adventure Company, a supporter of the Airport and the Flying Club (especially maintaining the airport bicycles)
• Vermilion Pottery Guild, operating at the airport
• Heartworks Studio, a business residing at the airport
• Local Army Cadets Branch

Other Businesses

Hancraft Aero, Vermilion’s own aviation engineering business provided tools and logistics assistance.

Belairus Fuels, the aviation fueling station at the airport was primed and ready to assist flyers with fuel for the return trip.

RE/MAX Prairie Realty offered a P/A system to connect to a handheld radio so that the local air traffic frequency can be heard at the breakfast.
Yes, YVG has its own radio frequency used by all pilots when landing, taking off, or just passing nearby.

JKD Excavating Ltd. rented portable toilets

Show ‘n Shine

Loosely-organized local car enthusiasts, always eager to hang out together, accepted the opportunity to show off their rides.

Volunteer Groups

EST (Emergency Services Technologist) Battalion 27 from Lakeland College Emergency Training Centre volunteered to lassist with aircraft marshalling, ramp security, and safety.

The local 2645 Vermilion Army Cadets volunteered to direct vehicular traffic.

Posters Were Created

The word went out

• The club posted on local local social media, the Flying Club’s website, and avaition social media.
• The Knights of Columbus posted to Facebook and the Town of Vermilion’s Community Calendar.
• Others helped spread the word on social media, including Burnt Rock Adventure Company
• Email was sent to other flying clubs.
• Posters were delivered to local businesses and posted in strategic locations around town.
• The Knights of Columbus set up sandwich boards at their traditional locations in town.

Setup the day before

• The cookshack camper was backed into position.
• Aircraft tiedowns were placed.
• Portable toilets and wash station were installed.
• Traffic barricades were placed.

There was a problem: Winds up to 30 knots

In an on-site “go/no go” strategy meeting the evening before the event, it was agreed that few, if any, pilots would dare fly in that much wind.

However, the club still wanted to bring people to the airport.

The deciding factor was whether Webb’s tent could tolerate the winds.

Webb’s, the owner of the tent, were consulted.
They said the tent was easily strong enough to withstand the wind, and gave permission to go ahead.

The tent was set up, without sides.
Tables were stacked under the tent.
Chairs were stored in a nearby hangar until the morning to prevent them from blowing away.

But, the wind!

Early in the morning, the wind was worse

The winds were higher than expected: 40 knots gusting to 50 was forecast by mid to late morning. 

Local pilots all said nobody would fly in that wind.

Even with sides on the tent, it would be impossible to feed people outside, especially using paper plates. The poor tent struggled to not fly away.

The decision to move the event to the alternate location at St. Jerome’s School was disappointing, but obvious.

Breakfast at St Jerome’s

All the social media publicity got plenty of recognition, bringing in record numbers for the Knights of Columbus: 164 paid meals, plus uncounted under-6 free meals.

People drove from as far as Edmonton. Even a few aircraft arrived (see below).

Trade Show Tables

The planned tradeshow booths became tables at St. Jerome’s.

Show And Shine

Unaffected by the weather, the car people set up shop in the parking lot at St Jerome’s.

Meanwhile, at the airport

It did not rain, but the forecast proved to be accurate.

The wind remained fierce.

Some flew in, despite the weather

Well, a hardy few, at least – 3  airplanes and 2 helicopters from Villeneuve, Cooking Lake, Drayton Valley, and Westlock.

Flying club volunteers transported them to and from St. Jerome’s.

Experienced local pilots watching them land and take off confirmed it was challenging flying weather.

Some of them fueled up before leaving.
They would need extra fuel to fight the wind on the way home.

Some said they had never before landed in Vermilion, and were impressed with what they saw. They said they would be back and intended to spread the word.

At The End Of The Day

The tent was taken down just as the pegs were starting to pull out. It survived undamaged.

The objective was to help raise the profile of YVG.

Mission accomplished!

• Local people learned about the airport
• The wider flying community learned about Vermilion YVG
• Those flyers who came will spread the word
• Trade show partcipants were pleased with the turnout
• There was great response on social media – lots of likes and comments
• Record pancake breakfast sales
• Brought business to the airport (fuel sales)