The Yellowknife International Air Show announced in a news release Friday that planned activities for this year will be deferred to 2021.
The May 1 news release stated that due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it "is not recommended" to hold events this year.
"With the challenges being presented by COVID-19 and its impacts, a large group event such as our Airshow is certainly not recommended," states the news release. "Challenges include social distancing; interprovincial travel of performers and economic challenges being experienced by our sponsors and guests. As such we are acknowledging the need to defer until next year. It is disappointing after all the prep work that has been invested over the past year."
The air show isn't the only event with mass gatherings cancelled since March. Last month, Folk on the Rocks, which was marking its 40th year, was suspended. Other events including Snowking's Winter Festival and Long John Jamboree were cancelled but are expected to return next year.
NNSL Media reported last November the air show was to take place from July 11 to 13, 2020 at the Yellowknife Airport. The event has typically drawn between 3,000 and 6,500 people every year.
Gord Van Tighem, chair of the air show, said the decision was very disappointing as there had been three civilian and several military air acts scheduled.
"We were planning on a two-day event this year instead of the normal one day," Van Tighem said, noting that the second day was planned to mark the 50th anniversary of the Joint Task Force North. "The whole air show was also going to be revolving around the Snowbirds' 50th anniversary."
Van Tighem said the organization will have to go back to the drawing board for next year to ensure the event can take place avoiding a conflict with other major events, including Folk on the Rocks and the Midnight Sun Floatplane Fly-in.
"With social distancing, large events aren't really being encouraged," Van Tighem said. "It's gonna take a while for that to come back to reality if it ever does to the same extent that we enjoyed in the past. We get 3,000 to 5,000 people. So getting out there with a two meter ruler to see how far apart people are will be a bit tricky."