Southern Wisconsin AirFEST to conflict with AirVenture?

[nddons]

I just received an email update that this great airshow, which usually takes place on or around Memorial Day, is scheduled for the last 3 days of AirVenture. Seems pretty odd to me. Two years ago they had the Blue Angels. Last year they had the Thunderbirds AND the Snowbirds. I can't imagine the hassles of having a large TFR in Southern Wisconsin (KJVL)during a mass migration out of KOSH from AirVenture.

I typically work security there, but I'm not sure I'm going to want to miss the final weekend shows at AirVenture. Damn!

AirFEST will be announcing their performers shortly.

 

[Doggtyred]

What... on earth... are they thinking???

 

[Ghery]

What... on earth... are they thinking???

Take the alst part of your question - "are they thinking?"

 

[nddons]

What... on earth... are they thinking???

Take the alst part of your question - "are they thinking?"

Well, I think the show sponsors just layed a goose egg. I checked the Blue Angels', Thunderbirds', and Snowbirds' 2011 calendars, and none of them are flying at JVL this year (though the Thunderbirds are performing in Milwaukee August 6-7! ) So maybe there won't be a big TFR after all. Still, the timing CAN'T be good for attendance.

 

[flyingcheesehead]

Still, the timing CAN'T be good for attendance.

I dunno - I've only been to it once, though it is an excellent airshow, but I got the feeling that the vast majority of the crowd is NOT aviation people, and probably not going to Oshkosh. In fact, when I flew in to go to the show I was one of six, count 'em, six, non-performer airplanes... But there were easily a couple thousand people at the show.

The other thing is, they might be getting performers as they're leaving Oshkosh, which can save them a significant amount of money in transportation costs. There are other airshows that team up to do this sort of thing (like Battle Creek / Fort Wayne and other relatively nearby city pairs) to save money as well.

I won't be there this year, but I bet they won't have a noticeable decline in attendance. I hope they do well, because the proceeds go to a VERY worthy cause - The Wisconsin Aviation Academy, which gives high school students in the area free flight lessons in exchange for maintaining a good GPA.

 

[nddons]

I dunno - I've only been to it once, though it is an excellent airshow, but I got the feeling that the vast majority of the crowd is NOT aviation people, and probably not going to Oshkosh. In fact, when I flew in to go to the show I was one of six, count 'em, six, non-performer airplanes... But there were easily a couple thousand people at the show.

The other thing is, they might be getting performers as they're leaving Oshkosh, which can save them a significant amount of money in transportation costs. There are other airshows that team up to do this sort of thing (like Battle Creek / Fort Wayne and other relatively nearby city pairs) to save money as well.

I won't be there this year, but I bet they won't have a noticeable decline in attendance. I hope they do well, because the proceeds go to a VERY worthy cause - The Wisconsin Aviation Academy, which gives high school students in the area free flight lessons in exchange for maintaining a good GPA.

Good points. The crowd is largely local - Janesville, Rockford, etc. They do a good job of getting other acts there as well, so perhaps they can get some great acts coming off of AirVenture.

This is one of my favorites - Susan Dacy in "Big Red" (She is about the nicest person that I have met in aviation and, small world, my CFII used to fly with Susan at American Airlines.)

http://il.youtube.com/v/vvafqVBnYWU?version=3"><param

 

[flyingcheesehead]

Good points. The crowd is largely local - Janesville, Rockford, etc. They do a good job of getting other acts there as well, so perhaps they can get some great acts coming off of AirVenture.

Yep... And I don't think they had the T-birds or the Blues the year I was there either. I do vividly remember the Masters of Disaster (RIP to all 3 of the airborne ones ) and a Canadian Forces CF-18 Hornet demo. It was a pretty darn good show even without one of the biggies present.

 

[nddons]

Date change for this airshow, based on an email I received today:

Date Change!
September 9th -11th, 2011

The 10th Annual Southern Wisconsin AirFEST will be held on


September 9th, 10th and 11th, 2011. As usual, we will have a family-friendly, patriotic, action-packed air show for all ages to enjoy. Including a special Sept. 11th Memorial event on Sunday!​

Due to the date change,
we will announce our great lineup of acts soon.
Visit www.swairfest.org for more info!


We look forward to seeing you at the
ABC Supply Southern Wisconsin AirFEST in September!







Southern Wisconsin AirFEST
4746 South Columbia Drive
Janesville, Wisconsin 53546
608-754-5405
www.swairfest.org

 

[flyingcheesehead]

I wonder if they were attempting to get a good deal on some acts, and decided that they were better off changing to try to get a jet team or something?