Cool winds and cloudy weather combined with intermittent drizzling rain was not enough to keep more than 400 people from attending the Mother's Day Fly In Breakfast.
Cool winds and cloudy weather combined with intermittent drizzling rain was not enough to keep more than 400 people from attending the Mother's Day Fly In Breakfast.
Almost 450 plates were served on Sunday, May 8 for the annual event, which is hosted by the Sundre Flying Club, said Bruce Goodwin, a past president of the club and current volunteer member who lives south of Sundre.
That turnout was greater than average — a little more than 300 people attended last year, he said, adding the community tends to support the event very well.
"It was really great," he said about this year's event.
Although there was a good turnout of residents, the less-than-ideal weather resulted in a lower turnout of pilots flying in for the breakfast.
"It wasn't a very nice day for flying," he said.
There have in some past years been as many as 100 aircraft, including helicopters, touch down at the Sundre Airport for the event. This year, there were 39, which also included a few helicopters. The lower number of aviators coming to Sundre for the fly in breakfast is also a "sign of the times. People aren't flying as much as they used to," he said, referring to the cost of the hobby and the economic downturn.
This year, a number of vehicles were also brought out on display courtesy of organizational efforts by Chris Aldrich. Organizers of the fly in breakfast are considering working the two events together since there is no shortage of space at the airport, he said.
"It's something we're kicking around."
The fly in breakfast has run annually for about 30 years, said Goodwin, a pilot since 1961 with about 2,500 hours of flight time who helped found the local flying club.
Despite the weather, this year's event went off without a hitch. The only thing that would have made the day better would have been clear blue skies, he said.
"It's just great to have the support of the community and the (flying club) members who helped cook and volunteer."
He also expressed appreciation for the Miss Sundre Rodeo contestants — this year's hopefuls are Kaitlin Malterer and Martina Holtkamp — who usually come out every year to lend a hand with the breakfast.
"They're just a really great help."
Click here to view more photos from the Fly in Breakfast.
