Russell Airshow - June 9-11, Niagara Falls

[Adrian Rittner]

I just wanted to extend a last minute invite to you all.

"The Friendly Foes over the Falls Airshow", is in its second year running. This is a very nice grass roots event of which the private owners have put up millions to estalish an airfield and event support. An area has been devoted to establish a WW2 period encampment for re-enactors, military vehicles, and exhibits.

Greetings Gentlemen,

With the Russell Group's airshow just a few short weeks away we have to really start organizing ourselves for the event. I know that some of you are still working on gathering sufficient troop strength for a maximum effort. This year the Russell Group is being a stricter on their participants and asking for exact numbers and the names of all attending. This is for security purposes, especially for those of you that will be camping there overnight.

Is anyone bringing military vehicles?

Only Friday has been designated as the set-up day. They do not want anyone setting up on the Saturday. Everything should be ready and in place for 9:00am on Saturday morning. A registration area will be set up for the re-enactors in the WW2 encampment section. Look for a big green military tent with other re-enactors standing around. Those with vehicles will be issued a parking pass (limited number). All other re-enactors will be issued a yellow wrist band. This band will get you access to the catering tent for lunch.

Sometime during the day, unit leaders will be invited to participate in a discussion over the future of WW2 Living History at this event. ; The plan is to develop an encampment area similar to ones at Reading and Geneseo. Your input will be a valuable asset as to the direction of our hobby/interest.

Saturday Night: The Russell Group is hosting a dinner gala during the evening. Tickets are $100.00 each (no exceptions or discounts available). The theme of the event is the movie Casablanca and will feature period music performed by the Toronto All-Star Big Band. I imagine that the proceeds of the event will go back towards the airshow/gala for next year. Also a portion will go towards a charitable directive (last year several air cadets were sent to a special camp).
If you are interested in purchasing tickets, call (905)295-2777.

A seperate event is being held for re-enactors/pilots/crew....etc on the Russell Group property. Dinner will be provided. Also there will be a movie night held in the WW2 encampment. Not too sure what will be shown ( a period movie or a film produced post war).

Sunday: After recovering from the night before. Once again, everything needs to be in place for 9:00 am. I believe tear-down of display areas can start after the show 3:30pm-4:00pm.

Friendly Foes Over the Falls 2006
Friday June 9-Sunday June 11, 2006.
The Russell Group Inc.
12761 Sodom Road
Niagara Falls, Ontario
L2E 6S6
(905)295-2777

If you have any further questions please contact Dean Villafuerte (Re-enactor Representative) either by e-mail or by telephone (905)962-6598

or

Adrian Rittner (Living History Display Co-ordinator)
at 905-734-1217 or arittner@cogeco.ca