The Okanagan is going to extreme heights to celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday.
The Great Canadian Freefall Festival - Okanagan Skydive’s biggest event of the year takes flight Thursday through Monday.
“It’s a big year for Canada and with the 150th birthday comes even bigger events,” said Bret Chalmers, Drop Zone owner. “Adventure travel is becoming one of the most popular travel trends of the 21st century.”
Lots of energy, pro wing suiters/skydivers, tandem jumps and fun energetic people will fill the skies over the Canada Day long weekend. The Skyvan will be flying 22 jumpers at a time to over 12,000 feet above one of the best views in all of skydiving — right here in Vernon.
“In addition to this, Okanagan Skydivers are planning to attempt to build a 12-person 150 formation. We will be making two or three attempts in the evening of Canada Day right over Kin Beach, just prior to the fireworks show,” Chalmers said. “This is how we celebrate Canada’s birthday.”
The event isn’t just Okanagan enthusiasts either, people travel from all over the world come to share their passion with other likeminded people.
“We’re able to showcase Vernon like nobody else,” Chalmers said. “We keep doing this because we love it. We love the people and we love to fly.”
And this milestone birthday offers a great excuse to make the leap.
“Heck, if you are going to celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday what better way to do it then to freefall out of an aircraft and one of the biggest events.”
