Organizers Set Sights On 2021 For World Record Gathering Of Vintage Aircraft

The Yankee Air Museum has confirmed that they are canceling plans for the 2020 Thunder Over Michigan Air Show, which was to be held on August 29th & 30th at Willow Run Airport, home to the Yankee Air Museum.

“In the current environment, we are unable to produce the world-renown Thunder Over Michigan Air Show event for which we are so well known” commented Event Director, Kevin Walsh.

Organizers explored various socially responsible models but none of them fit the demands of a major air show. “It is hard to take a proven model of 21 years and make it work responsibly in an era of global pandemic” stated Walsh. “We take the health, safety and well-being of the seven hundred plus volunteers, the hundreds of aircrews and the tens of thousands of Thunder Over Michigan fans very seriously.”

Although the event has a strict no refund policy, 2020 ticket holders who bought tickets through the air show EventSprout ticketing system will be pleased to know that they will not only receive a complimentary equivalent package for the 2021 Air Show but also will receive an additional complimentary package for the 2022 Air Show. “While a global pandemic is very much out of our control, we still want to give our current ticket holders a special consideration for being so loyal and dedicated,” commented Walsh. “Our goal is to always exceed expectations!” Organizers stated that they will be contacting individual general admission ticket holders to arrange the two-year complimentary package.

Despite today’s disappointing news, plans are well underway for the 2021 Thunder Over Michigan Air Show, which is slated for August 7th & 8th, 2021 at Willow Run Airport. In keeping with decades of tradition, organizers are planning for another world-record gathering of a single vintage aircraft type. “We built a reputation on being one of the top shows in the world and we look forward to keeping that place in the aviation community in 2021”, concluded Walsh.

Walsh also said: “I’d like to thank Governor Whitmer and her administration, Warren Evens and Wayne County, Wayne County Airport Authority, the United States Military, and other agencies for their willingness to work with us as we tried to develop a workable model during this unprecedented period.”

The Thunder Over Michigan Air Show is a primary fundraiser for the Yankee Air Museum a 501(c)3 charitable organization. 

FMI: https://yankeeairmuseum.org/airshow