5th Open House & Fly In 2026
RECORD-BREAKING TURNOUT FOR 5TH ANNUAL OPEN HOUSE & FLY-IN AT FAIRMONT AIRPORT
September 12, 2026 – Fairmont Hot Springs, BC The Columbia Valley
Airport Society is celebrating another successful Open House & Fly-In
Event at the Fairmont Airport, with this year’s event drawing a
record-breaking attendance and showcasing the important role the
airport plays throughout the Columbia Valley and beyond.
Held on September 12, 2026, the Society’s 5th annual event welcomed an
impressive 883 walk-in attendees, along with 25 aircraft and crew that
flew in for the day, making it the largest turnout in the event’s
history.
A major highlight of the day was the incredible air display by Neil
Harris Aerosports, whose spectacular aerobatic performance in his
Giles200 captivated the crowd and provided a thrilling centerpiece to
the festivities.
“This event simply would not be possible without the dedication of our
volunteers, sponsors, community partners and the many people who came
out to support the airport,” says Pascal van Dijk, President of the
Columbia Valley Airport Society. “The record attendance shows that the
Fairmont Hot Springs Airport is valued not only for events like this,
but for the essential services it provides year-round to communities
across the Columbia Valley.”
The annual event is designed to give residents and visitors an inside
look at the Fairmont Airport while highlighting its role as an
essential regional transportation and emergency response facility. The
airport supports medical evacuations, wildfire response, search and
rescue operations, military training and private aviation. Over the
last 5 years, the airport has facilitated an annual average of over 60
medical evacuations (emergency air ambulance service), with patients
travelling from communities throughout the region, including as far
away as Golden.
The airport has also become an important operational base during
wildfire season, providing a strategic location for aircraft
operations and fueling. With wildfire activity increasing throughout
British Columbia, the airport’s ability to support aerial firefighting
operations remains an increasingly valuable resource for the region.
This year’s Open House featured a wide range of activities, displays
and community partners. Visitors had the opportunity to meet
representatives from Inflight Robotics, Aero One, WildSafe Columbia
Valley, RDEK, FireSmart Columbia Valley, Angel Flight East Kootenay,
local first responders and our amazing airport volunteers. There was a
chance to learn more about aviation, emergency preparedness, wildfire
mitigation and services operating throughout the region.
Guests also enjoyed information booths, community activities, 50/50, a
human slot machine, food and refreshments, silent auction items and
door prizes throughout the day. The event provided an opportunity for
the local community to celebrate the Fairmont Airport and the people
who keep it operating.
The Columbia Valley Airport Society would like to recognize and thank
the many volunteers, Fly-In organizing committee, sponsors, community
organizations and local businesses whose contributions helped make the
2026 event such a tremendous success. Their continued support allows
the Society to direct funds raised through the event toward the
ongoing operation, maintenance and improvement of Fairmont Airport,
costs that continue to increase each year.
The Society also extends a special thank-you to Neil Harris
Aerosports, the airport volunteers, the Lake Windermere & District
Lions Club, the Fairmont District Lions Club, Columbia Basin Trust,
the Columbia Valley Rural Fire & Rescue Services volunteer members,
and all of the participating vendors and organizations for helping
create a memorable day for the community.
The Society is also encouraging the community to support Fairmont
Airport by purchasing the 2027 Airport Calendar. Featuring aviation
photography and highlights from the airport. All proceeds from
calendar sales go toward the ongoing operation, maintenance and future
needs of the Fairmont Airport. Calendars, along with the Society’s
airport merchandise, are available for purchase through the Society’s
website — or keep an eye out for our volunteers at local markets and
community events in the next few months!
With record attendance, 25 visiting aircraft and an unforgettable
aerobatic performance, the 2026 Open House & Fly-In has firmly
established itself as one of the Columbia Valley’s must-attend
community events. The Columbia Valley Airport Society looks forward to
welcoming everyone back to the Fairmont Airport next year for another
celebration of aviation, community and the vital services that take
flight from this important regional airport.
2025 Open House & Fly-in Event (September 6)
CROWD DAZZLING 4th ANNUAL OPEN HOUSE & FLY-IN EVENT TAKES OFF AT FAIRMONT AIRPORT
September 9, 2025, Fairmont Hot Springs, BC – The Columbia Valley Airport Society hosted its 4th annual open house and aircraft fly-in event at the Fairmont Airport on September 6, 2025. This year’s event had an added bonus with aerobatic displays put on by pilot Neil Harris who dazzled a record-breaking number of attendees with his aerial performances.
“The open house and fly-in event has quickly grown to be one not to be missed in the Columbia Valley,” says Pascal van Dijk, President, Columbia Valley Airport Society “The Society and its volunteers can only make this event happen with support from the Lake Windermere Lions Club & Fairmont Lions Club who both stepped up again this year to provide breakfast, beverages and a hot dog bbq.”
The Society hosts this event as an opportunity to educate the public about the airport and its vital importance to the Columbia Valley region. In a typical year the airport see 25 – 70 medical evacuations, with patients coming from as far away as Golden. Peaking in 2023 with 643 landings, the airport is viatl in the support of wildfire aircraft serving as a base and fueling station. The airport also supports local search & rescue operations, military training, private and commercial flights.
This year’s event featured two 50/50 raffles, information booths as well as face painting, silent auction and door prizes. The airport also recently launched a 2026 calendar and its own line of clothing merchandise (all available on the website) with all proceeds going back to the society. Funds raised from all aspects of the event go towards operating & maintenance expenses at the airport which continue to increase each year. The Columbia Valley Airport Society would like to thank the more than 50 local businesses that supported the calendar and online auction. A special mention to Neil Harris Aerosports, the airport volunteers, the Lake Windermere & District Lions Club, the Fairmont Lions Club, Angel Flight East Kootenay and the Fairmont Fire Department volunteer members for their tremendous support and continued participation in the event.
2024 Open House & Fly-In Event (September 7)
SUCCESSFUL 3rd ANNUAL OPEN HOUSE & FLY-IN EVENT HELD AT FAIRMONT AIRPORT
September 11, 2024, Fairmont Hot Springs, BC – The Columbia Valley Airport Society hosted its 3rd annual open house and aircraft fly-in event at the Fairmont Airport on September 7, 2024. The event attracted 27 aircraft from across Western Canada and saw a crowd of 350+ attendees come through the gates.
“The open house, breakfast and fly-in continues to be a popular event at the Fairmont airport,” says Pascal van Dijk, President, Columbia Valley Airport Society “The Society and its volunteers are thankful for the community support as we are always looking to educate the public about the airport and its vital importance to the Columbia Valley region. To date in 2024 there have been more than 50 medevac flights and the airport was a hub of activity during the recent wildfire season.”
This year’s event was held in conjunction with an online auction where 40 items were available for bidding. The items were all generously donated by individuals and businesses from across the Columbia Valley. Between the event and the online auction over $7,500 was raised. The funds raised will go towards operating & maintenance expenses at the airport which continue to increase each year.
The Columbia Valley Airport Society would like to thank the airport volunteers, the Lake Windermere & District Lions Club, the Fairmont Lions Club, Angel Flight East Kootenay and the Fairmont Fire Department volunteer members for their support and participation in this year’s event.
2023 Fly-in with Breakfast & Public Open House (September 16, 2023)
2nd ANNUAL EVENT AT FAIRMONT AIRPORT A SUCCESS
September 18, 2023, Fairmont Hot Springs, BC – Despite being postponed due to too much activity from the aircraft battling the local wildfires, the Columbia Valley Airport Society hosted its 2nd annual public open house and aircraft fly-in event at the Fairmont Airport this past weekend. The event attracted 27 aircraft from as far away as Meadow Creek, BC, Edmonton, Alberta and the United States and drew a crowd of over 250 – a definite success for the Society who are always looking to educate the public about the airport.
“Coming off of a very busy wildfire season in August, we are thankful that so many members of the community were able to attend the postponed event,” says Pascal van Dijk, President, Columbia Valley Airport Society “The Society and its volunteers were keen to build on the success of last year’s event and I think it’s safe to say that was accomplished.”
Visitors to the event helped raise funds with the donations being shared with the Lake Windermere and Fairmont Lions Clubs. The funds raised for the airport will go towards building maintenance projects planned for the coming Fall season. The current building at the airport is 20+ years old and is in need of a variety of upgrades.
The event offered visitors a pancake breakfast by donation to the Lake Windermere Lions Club, there were games for kids of all ages, door prizes, an online auction, a 50/50 raffle and information handouts about the airport’s history as well as other users of the airport.
The Columbia Valley Airport Society would like to thank all the volunteers, the Windermere & District Lions Club, the Fairmont Lions Club and the Windermere and Fairmont firehall volunteer members for their support and participation in this year’s event. Planning for the 2024 event is already underway.
2022 Fly-in with Breakfast & Public Open House
Thank you to all who attended! (August 27, 2022)
We were so delighted to see so many of you at the airport – we estimate 400+ people visited over the course of the event. Thank you to the pilots & crew of the 215T’s and the Bird Dog who so graciously toured so many people through the airport and aircraft.
The winning 50/50 ticket # is 575446 – if this is your ticket # please contact us at info@columbiavalleyairport.com to verify and collect your prize of $500.
Your donations mean the world to us! thank you to everyone who donated at the entrance towards the new washroom facility and for your donations to the Windermere & District Lions Club for the breakfast so many of you enjoyed.