Vanderhoof International Air Show Will Seek Community Donations

The Vanderhoof, B.C. International Air Show may fall victim to funding cuts following a change in the provincial government in British Columbia, Canada.

The Vanderhoof Omineca Express reports that Tom Bulmer, co-chair of the popular event, said that the show is "just not seeing the level of support from the B.C. government that we’ve had in the past.”

Bulmer said that the organizers have reached out to multiple people to make an appeal to the government to restore funding for the show, but so far, they have been unsuccessful. Among those contacted was the Tourism Events Program, which said that while the show "would be an eligible applicant for the program ... the costs associated with the operational expenses such as fuel, accommodation and performers are not eligible expenses under the TEP, your event could apply for funding related to promotion, advertising and broadcasting activities.”

But the show, which has an overall budget of $200,000, is receiving support from the local business community, which has been making private donations in an effort to preserve the event. Up to about $60,000 has already been received in private donations.

Bulmer said he is hopeful that the government will reconsider, and is still pursuing government funding for the show.

The Vanderhoof International Air Show has existed since 2012, and split between Vanderhoof and Quesnel on alternate years since 2014. This year's event is scheduled for Quesnel on August 4.

(Image from file)

FMI: Original report