Organizers Say Missing Military Presence Cost Them $100,000

Organizers of the Thunder on the Lakeshore airshow in Manitowoc, WI, say the lack of military participation in the show wound up setting them back $100,000.

The show's organizers began to scramble in April when budget cuts due to sequestration forced the military to cancel its participation in civilian events like air shows. While several acts were added, including a jet powered school bus and a special performance by the Tuskegee Airmen, the move added expense and was not the draw that F-16s or F/A-18s might have been.

Some of the show's attendees noticed the smaller crowds. Janee Harker, who said she has attended the last five Thunder on the Lakeshore air shows, told television station WGBA that "(t)here are less people here than other years." Joe Gaiovinik, who has been to all 21 of the shows, said he comes out to see the planes, but there were fewer this year than in the past.

Still, long-time fans like Gaiovinik said they were not disappointed. He said he enjoys seeing the big jets, but they are not the whole show ... "not by any stretch."

Organizers also said the timing of the show, which fell this year after Memorial Day, may have had some effect on the attendance.

FMI: www.manitowocairshow.com