2013 Indianapolis Air Show canceled over sequester concerns
Blue Angels would be grounded
Posted: 02/26/2013
Last Updated:
112 days ago
INDIANAPOLIS - The 2013 Indianapolis Air Show has been canceled, with organizers citing sequester concerns.
The show, scheduled for June 15-16 at Indianapolis Regional Airport near Mt. Comfort, was expected to feature the U.S. Navy's Blue Angels, but the team would be grounded as part of sequestration, organizers noted.
"Due to budget uncertainties resulting from the threat of sequestration and its impact on military
participation at our show, all of which are beyond our control, we have been forced to make the very difficult decision to cancel the 2013 Indianapolis Air Show," Robert Duncan, chairman of the show's executive committee, said in a news release.
Duncan said sponsors began dropping out when news spread the Blue Angels might be grounded.
"We had one $10,000 sponsor drop out yesterday," he said.
Several other air shows across the nation, including in Evansville, have canceled events this year due to the looming sequester.
Duncan said Indianapolis Air Show organizers hope to regroup for future years.
The deadline to avoid the sequester is Friday, when $85 billion in automatic budget cuts will go into effect, unless Congress passes an alternative plan.
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