2017 Huntington Beach Air Show

[awal2049]

I wanted to post about this now because of some developing news. Last year, the city of Huntington Beach, CA hosted the Thunderbirds and the Breitling Jet Team at its first air show. This event ultimately lost about $395,000, although it successfully attracted over half a million spectators. This year, the show is about $350,000 short of their budget, and they currently are in a financial crisis over the event. Their limited sponsors cannot back them with any more money, and unless they receive support from the city of Huntington Beach, the show could be cancelled. The show has a great lineup of performers and is projected to host almost 1 million spectators this year if it goes on as planned. The show is currently slated for Sept 30 - Oct 1. Hopefully, they can get the support they need.

Performers:
USN Blue Angels
Canadian Snowbirds
F-16 Viper Demo Team
USAF Heritage Flight (w/ F-35, F-16 and 2x P-51)
Black Daggers
FedEx 757
Mike Wiscus Lucas Oil Pitts
David Martin
USCG Search and Rescue Demo
HB Police Department Helicopter
Orange County Sheriff Department

Performers List:
http://www.hbairshow.com/performers-attractions

Financial Turmoil Article:
http://www.latimes.com/socal/daily-pilo ... story.html

[Dan Gagnon]

I wanted to post about this now because of some developing news. Last year, the city of Huntington Beach, CA hosted the Thunderbirds and the Breitling Jet Team at its first air show. This event ultimately lost about $395,000, although it successfully attracted over half a million spectators. This year, the show is about $350,000 short of their budget, and they currently are in a financial crisis over the event. Their limited sponsors cannot back them with any more money, and unless they receive support from the city of Huntington Beach, the show could be cancelled. The show has a great lineup of performers and is projected to host almost 1 million spectators this year if it goes on as planned. The show is currently slated for Sept 30 - Oct 1. Hopefully, they can get the support they need.

Performers:
USN Blue Angels
Canadian Snowbirds
F-16 Viper Demo Team
USAF Heritage Flight (w/ F-35, F-16 and 2x P-51)
Black Daggers
The Horsemen
Mike Wiscus Lucas Oil Pitts
David Martin
USCG Search and Rescue Demo
HB Police Department Helicopter
Orange County Sheriff Department

Performers List:
http://www.hbairshow.com/performers-attractions

Financial Turmoil Article:
http://www.latimes.com/socal/daily-pilo ... story.html

That's not what you want to hear. I've never been to the show, but the backdrop of the beach looks fantastic. It would be a signficant loss to the schedule, especially with what they have scheduled for this year and next (Thunderbirds). Let's hope they pull through.

[awal2049]

The show got a financial boost of $100,000 from the city council. They're doing this by increasing the cost of parking from $15 to $30 per vehicle. In addition, people can now purchase a $1,600 beach pass to park their vehicle on the beach for the week. The show is still expected to lose money, but it will go on as planned.

http://www.latimes.com/socal/daily-pilo ... story.html

[awal2049]

The show is still on as scheduled this weekend. A FedEx 757 has been added as a performer. Hope some people will make it out there this weekend!

[alexp2805+]

Turns out that roughly 725,000 people came to the Saturday show alone!!!

[RIAT617]

My shots from the airshow. I have to give high remarks to the RCAF Snowbirds who flew with only 8 jets but got the 9th one in by end of their routine, also having not practiced the day prior (fog) did outstanding job.

The parking was a mess but we got there in the end, and never have i ever seen so much VAPOR! That made the show for me.

[RIAT617]

More photos

[RIAT617]

Vapor!