Blue Angels announce plans for Cape Girardeau air show

Cape Girardeau will revive its air show in 2010 with a big name -- the U.S. Navy Blue Angels precision flying team.

The once-annual air show was canceled for 2009 when sponsorships dried up in the economic recession and the Blue Angels turned down the city's request to appear. With the Blue Angels putting Cape Girardeau on the 2010 schedule announced Monday, the city expects other top attractions as well, airport manager Bruce Loy said.

But the air show's future isn't assured, Loy said, and the decision on whether to resume annual shows will be made after this year's show.

"At this stage of the game, we want to take it one at a time," Loy said.

The Blue Angels participation was announced at the 2009 International Council of Air Shows conference in Las Vegas, which Loy is attending.

The air show will take place June 19 and 20. Along with the Blue Angels, Loy said the U.S. Army's Golden Knights parachute team has agreed to attend and that he is discussing the potential for a U.S. Air Force team to take part as well. In a news release issued by the city, Loy said he expects the Blue Angels' announcement to attract other military and private attractions and vendors.

The air show traditionally is presented as a salute to veterans.

"Having the Blue Angels at our show only magnifies that cause," Loy said. "I can assure you we will be working diligently to produce another top quality show for the entire family to enjoy."

The June 19 and 20 dates are a little earlier than the past practice of holding the air show around July 4.

"The slightly earlier June date means we have a lot of work to do in a shorter amount of time, but I am confident our volunteers will come together and get the work done," Loy said in the news release.

The Blue Angels will perform 67 shows in 35 locations during 2010, the team said in a news release. The squadron of 12 Boeing F/A-18 Hornet aircraft flies the demonstration shows in order to keep the public aware of naval aviation and to attract potential recruits.

The Blue Angels last performed in Cape Girardeau in 1992. Airport Advisory Board member Mark Seesing, military liaison for the air show, was airport manager in 1992 and will assist with the plans for the 2010 show, according to the city's news release.

"Just as they had a positive impact in 1992, they can make an immediate impact on the success of our 2010 show," Seesing said.

Putting on the air show will cost an estimated $170,000, Loy said in an interview. A final budget must be worked out with the Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Bureau, and while some sponsorships are already in place, Loy said more are needed.

"That will obviously be a primary goal," Loy said.

The airport has struggled in recent years, requiring an annual city subsidy from general revenue funds. Loy said he doesn't want to use taxpayer dollars to support the air show.

"We are absolutely committed to making sure this will fund itself," he said.

rkeller@semissourian.com

388-3642

Pertinent address:

Cape Girardeau Regional Airport, Cape Girardeau, MO