More Than 200 People Turned Out For The Event

Aviation fans in Stuart, FL gathered Friday for a fundraiser to support the Stuart Airshow, which ran into some strong headwinds last year.

Television station WFLX reports that the event, which was attended by about 200 people, raised some $65,000 that will go towards paying performers and vendors from 2019, and help replenish reserves.  

The 2019 show was marred by an accident which fatally injured a pilot and poor weather. “There were a series of just really unfortunate events that transpired in 2019 for the show,” said Airshow Executive Director, Skylar Gorman, who added that the show needs about $100,000 to get back to where organizers want to be.

Gorman said that there are still bills to be paid for the 2019 show, but Gorman said that the fundraiser will help to make the 2020 edition of the show "top notch" despite the possibility that making good on their promise to honor 2019 tickets will affect 2020 ticket sales.

The county has pitched in to help. Martin County Commissioners hava approve a one-time grant in the amount of $150,000 to help pay off the debt.

Airshow President Amy Bottegal told WFLX that the show is a 30-year tradition in the Stuart community that a lot of people want to see continue.

A local bank covered all the costs of the fundraiser so that all the money raised could go to support the airshow.

FMI: Source report