Two major events scheduled to be held this summer at the Goshen Municipal Airport have been canceled in response to recent public health concerns regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.
Randy Sharkey, Manager of the Goshen Municipal Airport, announced that he has received confirmation that America’s Freedom Fest, Goshen’s annual air show and fireworks celebration originally scheduled for Saturday, July 11, has been canceled for 2020.
Dr. Gregg Lanzen, President of the Board of Directors for America’s Freedom Fest, said, “this has been a very difficult decision for us to make. As much as we wanted to hold this event for the enjoyment of our community, the healthcare needs of our families, friends and neighbors is of utmost importance right now. So, under the guidance of our Federal, State and Local health officials we have decided to close this year’s event.”
Lanzen added that the Board of Directors will immediately begin to plan for America’s Freedom Fest in July of 2021.
“We had secured what we believed to be one of the best air show lineups our event has ever seen,” Lanzen stated, “and we will work hard to hopefully secure the same acts along with possibly some exciting new additions for 2021.”
The other event that has been affected is “Air Supremacy Airshows”, the Remote Control model show that was scheduled for July 16 – 18th at the airport. RJ Monroe, Air Supremacy’s co-founder, stated that he fully supports this decision and looks forward to hosting the event in July of 2021. All pre-paid entries will be refunded 100 percent with payments going out within the next few days, Monroe added.
The annual air show and fireworks draws an estimated 25,000 spectators to the airport each year. Sharkey said the safety and health of our volunteers, performers, vendors and spectators is our top priority during this unprecedented time.
“I know many people in Goshen look forward to these great community events; I understand this was not an easy decision for the event organizers to make,” Mayor Jeremy Stutsman said. “However, I do applaud their foresight and care, above all else, for the wellbeing of our community. I would like to use this opportunity to remind residents and businesses to continue taking precautions and staying home as much as possible to slow the spread of COVID-19 in the Maple City.”