Mountain Madness air show canceled

The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds announced the cancellation of their performances past April 1 due to budget cuts in the sequestration on Friday.

As a result, the Kalispell Chamber has decided to indefinitely postpone the Mountain Madness 2013 Air Show.

“This is disappointing news for the committee, but more importantly for the entire community. An air show always brings a major economic benefit to the area. The shows attract thousands of out-of-market visitors. And last time, our air show concessions enabled non-profit and community organizations to raise more than $50,000 for their work here in the valley,” Kalispell Chamber President Joe Unterreiner said.

Unterreiner stated that while it would have been thrilling for area residents to watch one of their own, Captain Jason Curtis, fly as opposing solo, economic reality means that the military must set priorities.

He pointed out that an air show receives tremendous support from many branches of the military, including the Montana Air National Guard as well as from squadrons throughout the United States that send aircraft and representatives for the static displays.

“We are as disappointed as everyone else about the news and will resume our planning for an air show as soon as the opportunity arises,” he said.

“I would like to thank everyone on the air show committee for their support and contributions, all of the air show fans in the Flathead and those that travel to join us, and the staff and the Board of the Glacier Park International Airport who have been such a great partner for us.”