Hundreds gather to watch Yellowknife airshow on Saturday | CBC ...

Hundreds of Yellowknife residents got a rare sight on Saturday, as parachutes touched down just steps from city hall, depositing highly trained members of the Canadian Armed Forces Skyhawks team onto the grass at Somba K'e Civic Plaza.

The precision landings were only one of many aerial feats on view an airshow honouring the 100th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Air Force.

The Skyhawks parachute team did a full acrobatic show, followed by a 15-minute air display from the iconic Canadian Forces Snowbirds. There was also plenty to do on the ground, with members of the military doing face painting for kids, answering questions, and giving out plenty of free merchandise from Canada's air force.

It was the first air display in Yellowknife since 2017, according to event organizer Lt.-Col. Steve Thompson. He said it was important for him to bring an airshow back to Yellowknife after the long pause.

"The RCAF has had a huge history, rich history here in the Arctic," he said.

"With NORAD modernization coming up… It's important that we get up here and show off the skilled, professional teamwork of all the Canadian Forces to the people of the North."

The hundreds of people who came out were certainly excited to see the show.

Rebecca Jumbo has been coming to Yellowknife airshows since she first moved to the city. On Saturday, she said her favourite part of the show was watching the Skyhawks touch down in the park, describing it simply as "awesome."

Her son Ace, watching with her, was especially interested in the show because he recently joined the Air Cadets. He said he might want to become a Skyhawk or Snowbird himself one day — if he can get over his fear of heights.

Many others, like Maggie Alanak, said they were also just happy to enjoy the good weather after a very smoky, and scary, summer in 2023.

"Lots of people, It's a beautiful day," she said. "Feels good in the heart."

Spectators watch members of the Skyhawks parachute over Frame Lake. (Sarah Krymalowski/CBC)

Members of the Skyhawks parachute team took some time to practice their jumps at the Department of National Defence Hanger at the Yellowknife airport on Friday. (Sarah Krymalowski/CBC)