Abbotsford Airshow this weekend promises new and old favourites

Thethree days of displays and aerialperformances not to mention food and entertainment begin when gates open Friday at 3:30 p.m. PT.

Vancouver was treated to an early show on Thursday as the Canadian Forces Snowbirds made theirway to Abbotsford via a downtown audience.

The theme of thisyear's show is "heroes of the skies"and CBC cameras were there onThursday to capture arrivals and practice flights forsome of the performers.

Performances include the FrenchBreitling Jet Team on the last year of their North American Tour, andthe world's largest professional civilian aerobatics team,theCanadian ForcesSkyhawks,just to name a few.

And, of course: fighter jets, vintage fighters and aerobatic displayswillbe putting on a good show as always.

The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will perform nightlyat 6 p.m. followed by afireworks finale.

F-35 makes first visit to Canada

But perhaps amongthe most anticipated visitors this weekend are two ofLockheed Martin's stealth aircraft the F-35.

It's the first time this fighter has ever visited Canada, so it's a first chance for many to check out one of the planes in the running to replace the country's aging CF-18 fighter jets.

• F-35clears major hurdle as US air force declares it combat-ready
• Liberals pay $33 million to stay inF-35program, despite not committing to buy them
• HarjitSajjangoing back to drawing board on fighter jets, launching consultations

The federal Liberal government promised during last year'selection campaign that it would hold an open competition to replacetheCF-18fleet, but it also pledged not to buy theF-35.

Boeing's Super Hornet fighter jet will also be there it's the main rival to the F-35.

One F-35aircraft will be on display all weekend, but will be guarded by a police officer 24 hours a day.

The forecast for this weekendis CAVU,a military term for"Ceiling andVisibility Unlimited" perfect flying weather.