AirFest scores double coup for next show
Photo
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds
TO HELP
AirFest will be looking for volunteers to help handle what is likely to be a record crowd, according to a news release.
For more information, call (608) 754-5405 or go online to swairfest.org.
JANESVILLE — Getting the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds to perform in Rock County next spring is a big deal.
But a second headliner should doubly excite fans of precision military flying.
The Canadian Air Force’s Snowbirds also will perform at the Southern Wisconsin Regional Airport in Janesville on Memorial Day Weekend in 2010, officials announced Monday.
“The Thunderbirds or the Snowbirds alone would be fantastic, but to have the two together is just incredible,” said AirFest founder and Executive Director Tom Morgan.
The bookings were announced Monday at the International Council of Air Shows Convention in Las Vegas, Morgan said by phone from the convention.
Both sets of flyers are premiere aerobatic teams, Morgan said.
The Thunderbirds put six F-16s in the air. The Snowbirds fly the CT-114 Tutor, a training jet.
The teams differ in their approach.
“Thunderbirds are louder, high-speed, in-your-face aerobatics,” Morgan said.
The Snowbirds are impressive for flying nine jets in formation simultaneously.
“They call it more of an aerobatic ballet,” Morgan said of the Snowbirds, “and the Thunderbirds are more of an aerobatic rock concert, loud and aggressive.”
Both are coveted by air shows across North America, Morgan said. The Snowbirds will perform in the U.S. only seven times next year, and they’ll be in the same lineup with the Thunderbirds only in one other show, in California.
Local AirFest-goers will remember the Snowbirds from their appearance here in 2008. The Thunderbirds have not been here since 2004.
The local response was one factor in the teams’ return, Morgan said.
“I think they felt we had a very hospitable air show, that the community welcomed them, and it’s a well run air show in terms of the staff we hire,” Morgan said. “… I think they feel very welcome, from the hotels to the parties. They get a sense of the community.”
Morgan said anyone who hasn’t seen an air show might want to check this one out.
“You will not be disappointed,” he said.
Dec 11, 2009 at 8:26 p.m.
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People like Sandman who have no pride in their country's military are obviously a little short in the G-2 as well.
Number one: ABC Supply picked up more than 90% of the show's costs.
Number 2: The Blue Angels have more bird strikes in one year than most of all the rest of military jets...that is the way it is....dorkus!
Number 3: If you don't like the airshow or what it represents stay at home or leave the town. You ARE AN IDIOT!
Dec 11, 2009 at 6:27 a.m.
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Well said taysgranny. Thank you.
Dec 10, 2009 at 6:17 p.m.
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Sandman, what you need to understand about air shows, in particular, Southern Wisconsin AirFEST,is that it is a nonprofit organization and is funded by sponsorships from companies around southern Wisconsin, with ABC Supply being the title sponsor, hence, ABC Supply, Inc. Southern Wisconsin AirFEST. Secondly, about the Blue Angels... We (most of us anyways) do consider them entertainment, but they consider it RECRUITING for the Navy, just as the Thunderbirds are recruiting for the Air Force. It is their recruiting tool along with the visits to local high schools while they are here, to speak about their branch of service. Without recruitment, our military would shrink and so would the level of protection they provide. They sacrifice their lives for our safety and freedom. The same freedom that allows us to have these debates on these sites. Mind you, they are ALL active duty military. If needed, they are called up, air show appearances are are cancelled immediately, and they are flying fighter jets, maintaining the jets and doing the job they are trained for, in order to protect our nation's security. Our show always honors our military and I, for one, am damn PROUD to be able to be a part of it. Not one red cent of taxpayer dollars is spent by AirFEST to put on this community-minded event. You should be proud!
Dec 10, 2009 at 9:35 a.m.
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Great news! Won't miss it!
Dec 10, 2009 at 8:38 a.m.
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MikeF-You forgot Mumra.
Dec 9, 2009 at 12:35 p.m.
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Thank you, ABC Supply, and other sponsors for continuing to support this fantastic, family-friendly event.
Dec 9, 2009 at 12:23 p.m.
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The Thundercats are coming!?! Cool! Lion-O, Tygra, Panthro, Cheetara, WilyKit, WilyKat, and of course Snarf! I can't wait!!! But what does that have to do with airplanes?
Dec 9, 2009 at 12:13 p.m.
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(DiGriz removed by site staff's F/A-18 Hornet)
Sorry, I got caught up in the moment. :)
Dec 9, 2009 at 10:45 a.m.
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Excited to see Thunderbirds again...their show was great in 2004.
Dec 9, 2009 at 9 a.m.
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Beef whatever,
That was uncalled for.
If anyone ever gets a chance to see an F-22 Raptor, go and see one. It's an awesome machine. I feel sorry for whomever gets tangled in a dogfight with this aircraft.
Dec 9, 2009 at 8:36 a.m.
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...Or you could consider that Blue Angel its predator. Aaahhh, the illiteracy of life.
Dec 8, 2009 at 10:20 p.m.
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Sandman, hawks also kill bunnies. Consider that Blue Angel it's preditor. Aaahhh, the circle of life.
Dec 8, 2009 at 8:45 p.m.
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I've never been to an AirFest but I vow to go this coming year.
Dec 8, 2009 at 8 p.m.
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Spectacular! The AirFest has really put Rock County on the map. hooraaahhh.
Dec 8, 2009 at 6:41 p.m.
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The air show is always great. I wish they had more of a food selection.
Dec 8, 2009 at 6:35 p.m.
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Sandman the only way a bird will not be ingested is to never fly any plane, ever. As both happen many times daily, flying and ingestions, perhaps if you learned more of what you speak it might give you a different outlook on reality.
Dec 8, 2009 at 4:57 p.m.
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Go build a sand castle Sandman. You'll feel better.
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This show is going to be great!
Dec 8, 2009 at 4:49 p.m.
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Hoo-YAH! You can never have enough pro-military noise and pollution generated at enormous expense to taxpayers under the guise of "entertaining the (Wal-)masses"!
Last year a hawk was sucked into a Blue Angel jet engine, requiring an unscheduled overnight emergency flight by the C-130 "Fat Albert" to Florida (how much did that cost?) in order to pick up and fly back a $1 million replacement engine. And next day the show went on--now that's entertainment (and huge waste, not to mention a little tough on the hawk)!
Dec 8, 2009 at 4:22 p.m.
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That's great! I was very impressed with the Snowbirds when they were here before.
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