Air show is a no show for Tacoma’s July 4th, but another popular event is still on
There isn’t enough time or support to get the Freedom Fair Air Show off the ground for the Fourth of July this year, its organizers said Friday.
The Tacoma Events Commission cited recently lifted state-mandated COVID-19 restrictions and lack of support from the city and Metro Parks Tacoma as factors in its decision.
TEC, a nonprofit, has operated independently since it parted ways with the city after the last Freedom Fair in 2019. Since then, Metro Parks Tacoma has taken over producing the city’s Independence Day celebration.
The city and Metro Parks both maintain they have not stood in the way of an air show. TEC held an air show in 2021.
No air show
The restrictions on large gatherings made it difficult to plan for the air show, said TEC president and CEO Tony La Stella.
The air show, which has traditionally featured civilian aerobatics and military planes, costs up to $70,000, he said.
The military planes need to be arranged a year in advance. Those, in turn, pull in major sponsors.
“Without those jets, there is limited interest by sponsors and VIPs to support the event,” La Stella said.
Until last week, TEC still hoped to lineup major sponsors. Those hopes collapsed last week.
Now, it will turn to planning for a return of the air show in 2023.
“We are actively working on bringing the event back on July 4th, 2023, and annually thereafter,” La Stella said.
SUMMER BLAST
Metro Parks Tacoma’s Summer Blast is still a go for Fourth of July, the agency’s events coordinator, Sophia McKee, said Tuesday.
The new event will spread out over Dune Peninsula at Point Defiance Park and at Cummings Park on the Ruston Way waterfront. The walking distance between the parks is 1-1/2 miles.
Following a day of entertainment, food and vendors, Summer Blast will feature a city-provided $80,000 fireworks display.
This story was originally published April 12, 2022 at 1:32 PM.
