Festival draws international tourists. (Communities of the North: Red Lake).

The Noorduyn Norseman floatplane is a testament to Canadian history and its people. It was first flown in 1935, and helped open up the Canadian north for economic development. It helped the Allied Forces win the Second World War, and still flies today. The aircraft has survived due to its extreme versatility and resourcefulness, and the ongoing success of the Annual Norseman Floatplane Festival in Red Lake.

The festival began as homage to the aircraft and other bush planes.

"It was initiated because we have the moniker of Norseman capital of the world," says Ron Robinson, chairman of the Norseman Floatplane Festival and original member.

The moniker came about during the 1950s when there was more Norsemen aircraft flying around Red Lake than anywhere else in the world.

The festival incorporates a large spectrum of activities and events targeting all age groups.

"We have tried to make it authentic," says Robinson. "We have combined the local community history with the local aviation history."

They developed a mini-putt golf course featuring local historical icons and a child's ride, which features Norseman aircraft essentially roiling on the ground. Robinson says the most popular event at the festival is still the Norseman floatplane rides themselves.

"Every year we run the rides and there are always people who could not get a ride."

Over 5,000 adult weekend- pass bracelets were sold, and about 2,500 children bracelets during the 2002 festival. Robinson says the local community benefits by increased spending on food, lodging and souvenirs, but the town also sees another relatively forgotten benefit of the festival.

"It basically works for us year long," Robinson says. "(The festival) has provided a profile for Red Lake and its people. It is a real benefit for our basic summer tourism industry."

Robinson says people travel to Red Lake from across North America and Europe to attend the festival.

During the Second World War, Norseman floatplanes were used extensively by the Allied Forces for a variety of utility missions. They were used to bring food and supplies to people in need, and were utilized as air ambulances.

"It is a well thought of aircraft in places like the Netherlands, Britain and France," says Robinson. "It was the kind of aircraft that left a mark."

The total number of Norseman aircraft produced was 903, including a run of 750 Mark VIs going towards the war effort.

"At any given time there are about 26 or 27 air worthy Norseman flying around the world."

In Red Lake alone, there are six flying Norseman floatplanes still casting their familiar silhouette on the region's vast wilderness. Five of the planes are working in the tourism industry and the other one is used privately. The township has one other Norseman in the area. The CF-DRD Norseman was purchased and restored by the township and-stands as a monument and a symbol to the town's history in the middle of Norseman Park.

Robinson cites the low maintenance, versatility and rugged durability of the aircraft as reasons why they are still flying around Red Lake.

"If there mining exploration crew that has to get to a remote place, they jump on a Norseman," says Robinson. "The planes still do what they were originally designed to do."

The Norseman Floatplane Festival has been an annual event since 1992. It features Norseman aircraft and other restored historical aircraft. The 2003 festival will run from July 25 to 27.

The Noorduyn Norseman floatplane was first produced in 1935 in Quebec. The plane was a blend of wood, metal and fabric. Construction of the wooden wings alone has been estimated to take about 2,400 hours. www.norsemanfestival.on.ca