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Announcer gives props to Saskatoon air show

By Jeremy Warren of The StarPhoenix (Aug 13, 2009)

The first time Ric Peterson grabbed the announcer’s microphone at the air show in Saskatoon in 1996, he thought his hand would freeze to the metal.

At its inception in 1995, the annual air show happened in May. Snow covered the ground the next year — the first time Peterson, who has 27 years of experience in the broadcast business, announced for the show.

“It’s a good thing they moved the show to August,” said Peterson, who lives in Montreal.

“I have nothing but good memories about the Saskatoon shows. It’ll be a tough night Sunday when we say goodbye.”

The Cameco Canada Remembers International Air Show, which runs Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., is in its 13th and final year.

This year, the Snowbirds and the CF-18 Hornet national demonstration team will put on aerial shows, as will the SkyHawks parachute team, a CL-215 water bomber and the Second World War-era B-25 Miss Mitchell.

Legendary pilot and aerial acrobat Julie Clark, a pioneer for female aviators and one of the first women to captain a commercial airliner, also performs.

The air show is recognized across North America for its professionalism and dedication to quality shows while making a difference in the community, said Peterson. “The legacy is huge and it will be missed,” he said. Peterson, who by day is a radio talk show host on Montreal’s CJAD, has sat in the announcer’s chair for every Saskatoon air show except the first one.

His talent has taken him to Halifax, Yellowknife, Rhode Island and New Mexico to lend his voice for air shows, Formula One, NASCAR and the Just for Laughs festival.

“I have many vacations throughout the year,” said Peterson. “I’m usually going somewhere on Friday and leaving somewhere on Monday.”

Peterson, 53, is a jovial fellow who relies on his friendly demeanour and warm voice to soothe anxious crowds.

“I rely on humour. I just have conversations with the people,” he said.

Barnstorming across North America with daredevil pilots has provided insight into humanity and its habits, said Peterson.

“I spend a long time on the road getting to know people and the circuit and once you really know how special it is you can pass that on (to the audience)” he said.

“I’m not the star. I’m describing the stars. I light them up. These people work really hard to get into those jets.

“I hang around with people who aren’t afraid to live. You’d think the fear would be crippling, but it’s all about managing the risk.”

The Saskatoon air show has entertained more than 400,000 people during the years, while raising more than $450,000 for charities and community groups.

Announcing as a sideline isn’t lucrative and performing in air shows rarely is, said Peterson.

“The air show industry in Canada is mostly nonprofit community events,” he said.

The final show will be mournful, added Peterson, but the opening ceremonies at 12:15 p.m. each day will be spectacular.