More than 35,000 saw Waukegan air show
NEWS-SUN STAFF REPORT September 17, 2012 6:22PM
The Royal Canadian Air Force Snowbirds perform at the Waukegan Air Show. | Rob Dicker~Sun-Times Media
Updated: November 17, 2012 1:32AM
WAUKEGAN — The Wings Over Waukegan air show Sept. 8 proved to be one of the best regional family events of the year with a record-breaking crowd, according to show organizers.
The Royal Canadian Air Force Snowbirds performance helped draw more than 35,000 spectators to view the nearly four-hour show.
“We appreciate all the volunteers and committee that worked so hard to put on such an amazing local air show,” said Grant Farrell, president of Wings Over Waukegan.. “All the pilots that flew for us gave such a great performance and we thank them, along with the Canadian government who brought the Snowbirds to us.”
“The Snowbirds are one of the best jet demonstration teams in the world,” commented Jeff Clark, Wings Over Waukegan air show boss. “We were fortunate to host them as one of only seven performances they will give in our country this year. We are getting great feedback as to how impressive their performance was and how friendly and receptive they were to our spectators.”
The Snowbirds proved not only to be great performers, but community minded as well.
On Sept. 10, a group of Snowbird pilots met with more than 500 area grade school children at Waukegan Regional Airport. They greeted the group and discussed aviation, shared stories about flying as a team and educated them about the Royal Canadian Forces Snowbird organization.
Air show attendees also enjoyed a Navy F-18 Hornet, a Wing Walker, a jet-powered school bus, warbird planes, airplanes on display, the A-4 Skyhawk and classic cars.
