DAYTON â Sequestration has hurt many air shows throughout the country already by reducing acts or canceling them all together. In Dayton, that could mean good news especially if the latest canceled show brings more people through local ticket booths.
Daytonâs Air Show draws thousands of people and pumps around $3 million dollars into the local economy. The air show is something Katherine Gale looks forward to every year.
âI had never seen airplanes before like actual ones flying around so it was really cool like a first experience and I know all the kids loved itâ said Katherine Gale, Airshow fan.
Gale is concerned how sequestration budget cuts will affect the local annual summer tradition.
In Cleveland, theyâve already felt the impact. For the first time in nearly 50 years, organizers have canceled their air show blaming federal military cuts.
âYouâre not able to deliver the same show with the same standards thatâs expected and attendance would be reduced to less than half of what it typically isâ said Chuck Newcomb, Cleveland Air Show Executive Director.
Dayton Air Show officials are still full speed ahead. They say even though sequestration will likely force the Thunderbirds to drop out, theyâll have other headline worthy acts on hand.
âYou still see a really good show, will the jet teams be missed, of course, theyâre always missed. Weâve done a couple shows without jet teams, typically when we do that, we see a small decrease in attendanceâ said Michael Emoff, Dayton Air Show Chairman.
To make up for the possible drop in attendance, organizers hope the canceled Indianapolis and Cleveland air shows will encourage more air show junkies to travel to Dayton to get their fix. For Katherine, jet team or not, she says sheâs still going.
âIt was just a fun family thing to go out and do, I think everyone should go to itâ said Gale.