BRUNSWICK — One of the biggest and most popular air shows in the country is making an encore here in Maine, just three years after the military had everyone believing that the 2008 show would be the last.
At their meeting in December, the directors of the Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority authorized spending up to $1.3 million to host the Great State of Maine Air Show and Business Aviation Expo in Brunswick.
Additional Photos
It will be the first civilian operated air show since the Brunswick Naval Air Station began hosting the event in 1962.
Organizers expect more than 100,000 people to attend the three-day show, which will run from Aug. 26-28 at the former Navy base.
The featured aerial act will the mainstay of former Brunswick air shows — the U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels. The world famous precision flying group’s advance team met with officials in Brunswick last month to go over their requirements.
“The Blue Angels are a huge draw. But it is also going to be a great way to showcase the property,” said Jeffrey K. Jordan, deputy director for the redevelopment authority.
The authority has been charged with overseeing redevelopment of the Brunswick Naval Air Station, which is scheduled to officially close in May.
Several tenants have already been secured for Brunswick Landing — the property’s new name.
In September 2008, the Navy announced it would no longer be able to present the Great State of Maine Air Show.
Over the years, the show became an aviation extravaganza, easily attracting more than 100,000 people to Brunswick over the three-day weekend.
Many visitors came to see the Blue Angels perform their aerial stunts, but others came for attractions such as jet-fired trucks, antique airplanes, aerial stunt acts and the Megasaurus, a 50,000-pound, fire-breathing, car-crushing metal dinosaur that stands more than three stories tall.
This year’s show will be a little different. It will feature a business aviation expo and has been selected to celebrate the Navy’s official centennial.
“This distinction underscores our dedication to creating an air show event that is not only a favorite for Maine residents and tourists, but honors the Navy’s 100 years of aviation achievement and success,” said Steve Levesque, the authority’s executive director.
Jordan said the Navy designation means that some military planes may be allowed to participate.
Jordan said revenue from admission fees and corporate sponsors will help cover the show’s cost.
Jordan said the authority has hired an event coordinator to oversee parking, food, entertainment and to recruit corporate sponsors.
Brunswick’s airfield, which has been renamed the Brunswick Executive Airport, is scheduled to reopen April 2, Jordan said. Small jets and executive aircraft will be allowed to land there.
Though the show has been tweaked a bit, Jordan added: “It’s going to be a show very similar to what people have been accustomed to seeing in the past.”
Staff Writer Dennis Hoey can be contacted at 791-6365 or at:
dhoey@pressherald.com
Send questions/comments to the editors.
