By JIM REITH, President Abbotsford Airshow

It is my pleasure to welcome you to the 2016 Abbotsford International Airshow 鈥� Heroes of the Skies! Gadgets, special suits, technology and the coolest flying machines鈥� Learn what it takes to be a HERO at the 2016 Abbotsford International Airshow!

From August 12-14, Heroes of the Skies take flight over the Fraser Valley for the 54th annual Abbotsford International Airshow. Watch in awe as we welcome back the world-class Breitling Jet Team from Europe in the second and final year of their North American tour. Explore the McDonald鈥檚 Kids Zone and Science World on the Road! Experience Friday鈥檚 twilight show and fireworks finale! And, watch in awe as the Screamin鈥� Sasquatch Jet Waco, Boeing and US Navy Super Hornets, Snowbirds, Skyhawks and others take to the sky!

The Airshow is pleased to welcome the involvement of several key players in the aviation industry, including Lockheed Martin, Boeing and Eurofighter and more. Spectators will see Boeing鈥檚 involvement in dramatic fashion 鈥� as the aerospace giant will bring two jets to do corporate flying demos with a full array of simulated weapons, a simulation trailer and the test pilot will be available to talk about the exceptional capabilities of the aircraft. Lockheed Martin and Eurofighter are also on-site in various capacities with educational and promotional pieces.

鈥淎n aspect of the Airshow鈥檚 strategic vision is to strengthen key partnerships with aerospace organizations such as AIAC Pacific who produce an annual Aerospace & Defence trade show in conjunction with our airshow, and the CBAA which will hold its annual convention next year at Abbotsford in conjunction with the airshow as well.   Looking to the future, we expect the Abbotsford Airshow will have a major aerospace trade show event occurring in the days prior to the public weekend show in the style of Farnborough and Paris airshows.鈥�

Heroes of the Skies tell the stories of everyday women and men who work hard to make the world a better place, in their own communities and beyond. We are proud to honour them at this year鈥檚 Abbotsford International Airshow! Tickets for this action-packed weekend are available at Save-On-Foods or by clicking .

Next Generation BC Amateur Photographer of the Year

Finalists for this year鈥檚 4th annual Next Generation BC Amateur Photographer of the Year contest have now been selected. From Vernon to Victoria and from Surrey to Smithers, seventy finalists have been chosen from all corners of BC to move forward and compete in an intense competition at the Abbotsford International Airshow, where they will race against the clock to complete daily photo challenges. Finalists will shoot 10 of their best photographs and/or videos, to be reviewed by a judging panel 鈥� one will come out with the title of 2016 Next Generation Amateur Photographer of the Year. Almost 3,000 entries were received from 80 B.C. communities.

Whether you鈥檙e a finalist or not, this is a show you won鈥檛 want to miss: The Abbotsford International Airshow is world-renowned for its prestigious performers and family-friendly entertainment. The 2016 Airshow on August 12^th through 14^th will feature two jet teams, (Snowbirds and the European Breitling Jet Teams ) a Friday twilight show with fireworks, the Canadian Forces Skyhawks parachute team, and the US military jet, the Super Hornet to name but a few. More details visit .

Photographhs by Ken McAllister - 2015 Next Generation Amateur Photographer of the Year. Photographs featured from the 2015 Abbotsford Airshow.

Congratulations to all of the finalists in the 2016 Next Generation Amateur Photographer of the Year contest, sponsored by , the , and Black Press. To see photo gallery . See you there!