North Saanich Aviation Museum draws 6,000 visitors at annual open house
On August 2‑3, 2026 the North Saanich Aviation Museum in British Columbia held its largest annual open house, attracting an estimated 6,000 visitors. The event showcased more than 45 historic aircraft, including the Starfighter and the Hawaii Martin Mars water bomber, and featured a flyby by the Canadian Forces Snowbirds.
The open house serves as the museum’s main fundraiser, with admission by donation. Museum spokesperson Bob Black said the money will support ongoing operations and a planned new hangar to house the Martin Mars, a project estimated to cost a couple million dollars. Founded in 1989, the museum also highlighted that the first Canadian‑designed aircraft was built in Victoria in 1910 by William Gibson.
Entities
Bob Black · Canadian Forces Snowbirds · Hawaii Martin Mars · North Saanich Aviation Museum · William Gibson
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 3 SOURCES] The North Saanich Aviation Museum held its biggest annual open house on August 2‑3, 2026. vancouverislandfreedaily.com · peninsulanewsreview.com · saanichnews.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The first aircraft designed, built and flown in Canada was constructed in Victoria in 1910 by William Gibson. vancouverislandfreedaily.com · peninsulanewsreview.com · saanichnews.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Funds raised will be used for operations and to build a new hangar for the Martin Mars, estimated to cost a couple million dollars. vancouverislandfreedaily.com · peninsulanewsreview.com · saanichnews.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The Canadian Forces Snowbirds performed a flyby during the open house. vancouverislandfreedaily.com · peninsulanewsreview.com · saanichnews.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Approximately 6,000 visitors attended the open house. vancouverislandfreedaily.com · peninsulanewsreview.com · saanichnews.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] More than 45 aircraft were displayed at the event. vancouverislandfreedaily.com · peninsulanewsreview.com · saanichnews.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The museum was founded in 1989. vancouverislandfreedaily.com · peninsulanewsreview.com · saanichnews.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The museum acquired the Hawaii Martin Mars water bomber in 2024. vancouverislandfreedaily.com · peninsulanewsreview.com · saanichnews.com