— By Marie-Claude Guimond

For the third year in a row, Casey will put on her finery and fly away to the rhythm of her countless cold war era ruins. From September 1 to 4, aviation and outdoor enthusiasts, this is an event not to be missed. Join the many visitors arriving from across Canada and the northeastern United States. Whether you arrive from the air, by road or by train, you don’t want to miss this event!

Along our water base on Lake Wet and the CSQ4 aerodrome in Casey, AeroVenture is without a doubt considered the biggest event of its category in Canada! On the program: “Fly-in”, camping, conferences, workshops, half-marathon, music, bonfires, static display and entertainment for all.

Welcome to the spellbinding world of aviation. This event is a veritable whirlwind of passion for aviation, history and the outdoors. With a rich and varied program, AeroVenture offers a unique opportunity where discoveries, experiences, adventures and unforgettable moments come together.

We invite you to take your wings in this vibrant universe, to explore the history and the military remains of the Casey cold war era runway which celebrates its 70th anniversary this year and without forgetting the reasons why AeroVenture exists and has become a must for aviation and outdoor enthusiasts.

AeroVenture was born from the desire to bring back to life the CSQ4 Aerodrome following the informal fly ins which have been taking place since 2012/2013 at the Casey abandoned military airstrip.

Casey is filled with history and events that have marked the region, from the construction of a military base during the Cold War in the 1950s to the events of the mercenary pilot, Raymond Boulanger. This historic and heritage site had been abandoned for many years. During his first visit to the airstrip, Naor Cohen, a seasoned entrepreneur, fell in love with the site and made it his new challenge. Revive Casey’s runway and bring it to the general aviation and tourism world. Camp de Base Casey was born and the AeroVenture event followed. In 2022 we welcomed: 241 aircraft, 28 seaplanes, 22 helicopters, 260 RVs, 92 planes in camping formula and 2600 visitors for the duration of the weekend long event.

A DIVERSIFIED PROGRAM

AeroVenture offers an eclectic and varied program highlighting the richness and diversity of its wild site and that of the world of aviation. From emerging speakers to outdoor icons to aviation influencer celebrities, through the discovery of Aerocamping and/or wild camping which is “a must” so as to not miss anything throughout the weekend. We offer you a real melting pot in the backcountry!

AeroVenture continues to evolve and reinvent itself, adapting to current tourism trends while remaining true to its primary mission: to celebrate aviation and the freedom to fly!

An exceptional showcase to promote the Haute Mauricie region and its jewels, AeroVenture would like to arouse everyone’s interest in aviation and thus offer a unique opportunity to showcase and discover the local actors of our territory on site. They bring freshness and creativity to the event, helping to strengthen the bonds of our community.

AeroVenture will also host renowned guest speakers such as Réal Langlois “the rack man”, a fly-by of two CF-18s in formation and cockpit visits of a CF-18 from the Royal Canadian Air Force, many hands on workshops and so much more. We guarantee grandiose and captivating moments in a friendly and warm setting. There will be something for everyone. Each year, AeroVenture has its share of surprises in store, you don’t want to miss them!

One of the most exciting aspects of AeroVenture is discovering the site of the CSQ4 aerodrome, the Casey Base Camp and all it has to offer.

This year with the first edition of the Casey Half-Marathon, you will have the chance to take a route which, with each step, will allow you to glimpse the rubble of the former Pinetreeline military base.

For those who want more comfort: We offer a luxurious camping concept at the Casey Base Camp CSQ4 aerodrome. Several packages are available, for more information, simply visit our website www.campdebasecasey.com and reserve! We are here to make your experience memorable. Hurry, places are limited, book your experience now.

Whether you love aviation, the outdoors or simply want to experience a unique moment, AeroVenture has something to satisfy your curiosity. The different themes of our programming offer a variety of experiences allowing everyone to find what they are looking for.

Attending AeroVenture is much more than being bitten by mosquitoes! It is to live an immersive experience in the heart of the boreal forest in the heart of the Haute Mauricienne bush country. Beyond aviation, we offer a multitude of activities such as a half-marathon runway run, survival and plant picking workshops, fireworks and entertainment for all visitors.

AeroVenture celebrates aviation and the freedom to fly with passion and diversity. It is an unmissable event where aviation and the outdoors come together, offering a unique experience and adventure. Fly with us from September 1 to 4. We extend our wings to you!