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Planners still need $40K for air show
VIENNA
The Youngstown Air Reserve Base Community Council has raised about $225,000 in cash and in-kind services to pay the community’s share of the cost of the Thunder Over the Valley Air Show here May 17-18.
The fundraising campaign still is about $40,000 short, however, a council representative said.
The Air Force is funding the main attraction, the Thunderbirds, its air-demonstration squadron, also known as America’s Ambassadors in Blue. They last were here in 2009.
But the remainder of the cost for the show at the Youngstown Air Reserve Station on King-Graves Road needed to pay for private attractions planned for the two-day event is the community’s responsibility.
“We still need about $40,000,” said Holly Baker, who is heading up the community financial campaign for the community council. “We are responsible for paying for all civilian acts.
“The response from individuals and businesses has been great, and we’re hopeful we’ll get the rest of the money needed,” Baker said.
For information about sponsorship opportunities, security guidelines and performers, visit www.thunderoverthevalley.com, or call Baker at 330-531-0120.
On show days, the YARS gates open at 9 a.m., and flying begins at noon.
Admission is free, but there is no public parking at YARS as in 2009. Rather, parking will be remote, and visitors will be bused to the air reserve station for a fee, a spokesman for the 910th Airlift Wing at YARS said previously.
Parking costs and busing details are expected to be announced within a few days, Baker added.