The Lynchburg Regional Air Show Corporation (LRA) announced Friday, March 15, 2013 that the Memorial Day weekend air show featuring the Navy’s Blue Angels and other performers has been cancelled.
It is unknown if the Blue Angels will be grounded before the May air show. However, this uncertainty combined with our recent notification that the Army’s Golden Knights have terminated all of their performances as well as other military aircraft and support cancellations the Lynchburg show was counting on gave reason for concern. A last-minute cancellation of the show would cause considerable disappointment, uproot plans, and place the air show in financial jeopardy. Thus, the decision to cancel at this time allows all affected entities to plan accordingly.
Conducting an air show is an expensive proposition and must at least “break even.”
Consequently other air shows around the country are being cancelled this year as a direct result of “sequestration.”
The most regrettable result of this cancellation is the plan to recognize and honor our military on Memorial Day weekend, negated by the actions and decisions in Washington. This was to be the centerpiece of the show.
The airshow leadership is extremely grateful for the hundreds of volunteers who were committed to assisting with the airshow. Many of whom have been working for over a year in preparation.
Planning for a 2015 air show in Lynchburg will begin immediately.
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