Float plane rides prove popular during Blueberry Festival

Tim Brody - Editor

It was an opportunity to get a bird’s eye view of the community.
Slate Falls Airways floatplane rides were another returning event to the 2020 Blueberry Festival.
“We did about 60 total flights and (had) about 350 passengers,” shared Matt Cairns of Slate Falls Airways.
“That number is down somewhat from years past, which was expected due to COVID-19. We feel the event went well but because we were using fewer airplanes this year, again due to COVID-19, the wait times were up a bit from years past,” he explained.
Participants physically distanced while waiting to board their flight and were required to wear a mask on board the plane.
“I am glad so many chose to participate and look forward to 2021's event,” Cairns shared, adding, “We also expect the return of the popular balloon drop next year, which had to be cancelled this year due to liability concerns over mass gathering and physical distancing laws.”
The airway ran the event an extra two hours to ensure everyone who came out got a chance for a floatplane ride.
Guests waiting to get into a floatplane had the opportunity to enjoy a barbecue put on by Sioux Looks Out for Paws.