December 15, 2023
It’s been a busy year at RAMWC thanks to the more than 60,000 visitors and students who have come through our doors.
We hosted several visiting aircraft, held lots of fun events, and celebrated a few firsts.
Keep reading to see the highlights…
Visiting aircraft
This year, we hosted several visiting aircraft starting in July with a Boeing 737-800 cargo plane from Chrono Aviation.
In August, we held an Aviation and Agriculture event in partnership with Cassandra and Stefanie Lepp (aka The Tulepps, @thetulepps on Instagram) and their dad, John Lepp of Rivers Air Spray who brought his 802F Air Tractor here for the day.
Our friends at the Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum in Brandon brought three of their aircraft here in September: a Harvard Mark II, a Fairchild Cornell PT 26, and a Stinson Model 105 Voyager. Visitors had the chance to speak with the pilots and check out the cockpits.
The last visiting aircraft we hosted this year was a CL-215 water bomber courtesy of Babcock Canada.
Stay tuned for more visiting aircraft in 2024!
Events
In February, we held our first photo contest celebrating National Aviation Day. This event allowed photographers of all ages and skill levels to visit the museum after hours for a unique experience. Check out some of the submissions in the gallery below.
The annual Easter egg hunt was always a popular event when our museum was on Ferry Road, so we brought it back in 2023. It was busy and a bit chaotic, but it was so much fun. Watch for this to come back in 2024 with a special host!
Our first May the fourth event was out of this world. We offered a special science-fiction-themed tour, a lightsabre demonstration, cosplayers, and more. Watch for the return of the Jedis on May 4, 2024—we’re bringing this one back.
Later in May, we celebrated the one-year of being in our new home with discounted admission, tours of our CC-115 Buffalo, giveaways, and more. Because 2024 marks the 50th anniversary of the Royal Aviation Museum, we’re planning a big party that will take place in July. You won’t want to miss it, especially since we’ll be unveiling our newly restored F-86 Sabre. Our restoration team is hard at work on it right now and you can be part of its transformation. Donate and join our Sabre Squadron!
Shortly after our popular Father’s Day event, we launched our pedal and push planes, designed and crafted by two of our talented volunteers, Shawn Romas and Dave Mork.
Throughout the summer, families flocked to the museum to taxi through Aviation Plaza on these adorable ride-on toys, sponsored by the Carolyn Sifton Foundation. Rides were included with admission and the planes will be available again early next summer!
On October 29, we hosted one of our biggest events of the year—Halloween with Hobbs.
Besides our signature costume contest and trick-or-treating stations, we welcomed Mad Science for a fun demonstration. And this year it was a star-studded event attended by Spiderman, Mario, Ariel, and Elsa!
Our first Preservation Ball
The Out of the Blue fundraising gala was always a highlight at our museum on Ferry Road. This year, we re-branded and brought it back as the Preservation Ball.
Guests enjoyed a five-course dinner, glamorous, 1920s-themed décor, and entertainment by the Ron Paley and the Big City All Star Band.
Thanks to the generosity of sponsors, auction donors, and guests, we netted $350,000 for our educational programming.
With schools facing budget cuts, many can’t afford field trips and offsite programming. The funds raised at our gala ensure all students have equal access to participate in our award-winning STEM programs and experience the museum.
What to watch for in 2024
We’ve got lots planned for our big 50th anniversary in 2024, including more visiting aircraft, new exhibits, and more.
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