Goderich is celebrating a special anniversary this summer, as a wartime-era plane will make it's return to town 60 years after it initially touched down.
On June 14, the Lancaster FM213 is set to arrive at the Goderich Airport. On the same day in 1964, the Royal Canadian Air Force brought the retired plane to town so it could be used by the local legion for a war memorial.
Legion President Randy Carroll still remembers the first visit from the Lancaster.
"I remember going down with my father, my father was a very active Legion member" he recalls. "I remember, I guess it was back in 1964, I was just a youngster at his side. I remember them bringing it in and I remember the ceremony when they actually put it on the pedestals on display."
The Lancaster served as a war memorial for the local legion until 1977, when it was acquired by the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum in Hamilton. The museum was able to restore the aircraft, making it one of only two airworthy examples of the plane in the world.
Carroll says thousands attended the first arrival of the Lancaster back on June 14, 1964. Now, the Goderich Legion has partnered with the Warplane Heritage Museum to bring the plane back for two days.
"It made sense, because the Legion was involved with it way back in 1964 when the Lancaster was brought back to Goderich and retired. So for the Legion to be able to chair this committee to bring it back again is exciting," he said. "I've got a good team, we've got about 14 people that sit around the table trying to figure this out, anywhere from food service to security to parking, there's lots going on right now."
Carroll added that the Legion is looking for volunteers to help come the actual event day.
The Lancaster is scheduled to arrive at the Goderich Airport on June 14 at approximately 10 a.m. and depart on June 15 around 2 p.m.
There will be activities and exhibits available for attendees across the two days. There's no cost to entry, but donations will be accepted on behalf of local groups.
"It's free to attend. We are going to ask for donations, people can donate or not donate, it's neither here nor there. But all the money we do raise is going to go back to the three local charities which are: the Goderich legion, COPA and the Lions Club."