Rhode Island National Guard Calls Off Air Show for 4th Straight Year

Only weeks after announcing that the Rhode Island National Guard Air Show would be rebranded as the Ocean State Air Show and held at Quonset, Rhode Island in 2022, the former patron has announced its cancellation entirely citing a range of difficulties in putting on the whole shebang, from parking shortfalls and airport reconstruction to standing guard commitments elsewhere. 

The change is unsurprising for air show enthusiasts who have been subjected to a seemingly constant stream of show cancellations just as things finally seemed to return to an approximate 'normal' in the circuit. The page for the air show now bears a statement from the Rhode Island National Guard stating the cancellation was the decision of Adjutant General Chris P. Callahan. He said "a number of factors contributed," like "the reduction in available parking in the Quonset Point area, upcoming large-scale runway reconstruction projects at the Quonset State Airport, National Guard deployments and because of additional responsibilities that the National Guard has assumed to help Rhode Island address the pandemic." 

He closes with no promise of a return for 2023, leaving things open to "explore the possibility" of holding the show once again. The Ocean State show was one of the summertime highlights for Rhode Islanders, but things were not so rosy for the modified 2022 show already, as some changes were fairly unpopular with long-time attendees. This year, Ocean State would have moved the show to a different venue and airport for the event, as well as added $24 entrance fees and internet livestreaming. The move from a free to a for-profit show was unsurprisingly quite unpopular, as the RING handed off its former duties to private entities while still performing in the event. The Guard said the change was necessary. Decreased federal funding and staffing difficulties had taken a toll on their ability to put on an airshow with the level of attendance usually seen, and the only choice was outright cancellation or ceding the event to outside help. Whatever the case, it appears moot now, with no apparent involvement or promise of 2023 plans released so far. 

FMI: www.oceanstateairshow.com