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Air show expected to bring in $3 million
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| H&N photo by Andrew Mariman The man behind the 2008 Klamath Air Show, Charles "Chip" Massie the Klamath County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, is right on schedule for the June 28 event. |
By MEGAN DOYLE
The 2008 Klamath Air Show is expected to bring in $3 million in one week to Klamath County by drawing visitors from as far away as Seattle and Los Angeles to the June 21 event.
Organizers expect the show — featuring the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds — to attract about 30,000 people. Of those, about 40 percent likely will be from out of the area, filling hotels, campgrounds and restaurants.
“We think it’s going to be a nice little boost to the community and all of Klamath County,” said Klamath County Chamber of Commerce executive director Charles “Chip” Massie.
The event got off the ground after the Thunderbirds agreed to perform.
During the show, the Thunderbirds air demonstration squadron will perform precision aerial maneuvers above Klamath Falls.
John Klatt, who flew C-130 turboprop transport planes and F-16s for the Air National Guard, will fly a Staudacher S-300D aerobatic plane. Stunt pilot Kent Pietsch is expected to land his plane on a moving vehicle.
In addition, Speed for Hire will bring a RamJet Dodge truck, which reaches speeds of more than 350 miles per hour and the Jet Outhouse, which reaches speeds of up to 70 miles per hour. There also will be static displays of planes.
Air National Guard Maj. Tony DiCarlo has been involved in several air shows and was instrumental in recruiting performers.
“I’ve gotten to know a lot of these guys in the air show circuits,” he said, adding it was easy for him to call up friends and convince them to come to Klamath Falls.
The air show will be different than the Air National Guard air combat exercise known as Sentry Eagle, DiCarlo said. The for-profit air show this year provides a wider variety of performers.
Many have military backgrounds and are familiar with Kingsley Field. Klatt went through F-16 training at the base.
The show’s air boss —who gives permission for take-offs and briefs pilots and performers — once lived in Klamath Falls. Michael Biehn will return to the Basin from the Oregon Coast for the show.
There will be seating close to static displays and near the show center. For the first time, seating will be available between taxiways. There will be several food and beverage vendors, but no outside food is allowed on base the day of the event.
The chamber has promoted the air show using money from the tourism grant program supported by the county’s hotel/motel tax. It started running advertisements out of area this month. There will be more promotional material sent out locally as well, Massie said.
Pacific Crest Credit Union and several other businesses sponsor the air show. Massie hopes local businesses will continue to help with marketing and fundraising.
“We think it’s a great event to have your name attached to,” he said.
Tickets to the 2008 Klamath Air Show are available through the Ross Ragland Theater.
Tickets for reserved seats, near the show center, are $20. General admission tickets are $4 in advance and $6 at the gate the day of the June 21 event for ages 6 and older. To purchase tickets, visit www.rrtheater.org or call 884-5483.
Organizers expect the show — featuring the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds — to attract about 30,000 people. Of those, about 40 percent likely will be from out of the area, filling hotels, campgrounds and restaurants.
“We think it’s going to be a nice little boost to the community and all of Klamath County,” said Klamath County Chamber of Commerce executive director Charles “Chip” Massie.
The event got off the ground after the Thunderbirds agreed to perform.
During the show, the Thunderbirds air demonstration squadron will perform precision aerial maneuvers above Klamath Falls.
John Klatt, who flew C-130 turboprop transport planes and F-16s for the Air National Guard, will fly a Staudacher S-300D aerobatic plane. Stunt pilot Kent Pietsch is expected to land his plane on a moving vehicle.
In addition, Speed for Hire will bring a RamJet Dodge truck, which reaches speeds of more than 350 miles per hour and the Jet Outhouse, which reaches speeds of up to 70 miles per hour. There also will be static displays of planes.
Air National Guard Maj. Tony DiCarlo has been involved in several air shows and was instrumental in recruiting performers.
“I’ve gotten to know a lot of these guys in the air show circuits,” he said, adding it was easy for him to call up friends and convince them to come to Klamath Falls.
The air show will be different than the Air National Guard air combat exercise known as Sentry Eagle, DiCarlo said. The for-profit air show this year provides a wider variety of performers.
Many have military backgrounds and are familiar with Kingsley Field. Klatt went through F-16 training at the base.
The show’s air boss —who gives permission for take-offs and briefs pilots and performers — once lived in Klamath Falls. Michael Biehn will return to the Basin from the Oregon Coast for the show.
There will be seating close to static displays and near the show center. For the first time, seating will be available between taxiways. There will be several food and beverage vendors, but no outside food is allowed on base the day of the event.
The chamber has promoted the air show using money from the tourism grant program supported by the county’s hotel/motel tax. It started running advertisements out of area this month. There will be more promotional material sent out locally as well, Massie said.
Pacific Crest Credit Union and several other businesses sponsor the air show. Massie hopes local businesses will continue to help with marketing and fundraising.
“We think it’s a great event to have your name attached to,” he said.
Tickets to the 2008 Klamath Air Show are available through the Ross Ragland Theater.
Tickets for reserved seats, near the show center, are $20. General admission tickets are $4 in advance and $6 at the gate the day of the June 21 event for ages 6 and older. To purchase tickets, visit www.rrtheater.org or call 884-5483.
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JON S. wrote on Jun 10, 2008 2:59 PM: