MAINE, N.Y. — Citing uncertainty about the spread of the coronavirus, Broome County officials have canceled the 2020 Greater Binghamton Air Show. The event, which has drawn thousands of spectators in the past, had been scheduled for July 25 at the Greater Binghamton Airport in the town of Maine. The county says the air show […]
MAINE, N.Y. — Citing uncertainty about the spread of the coronavirus, Broome County officials have canceled the 2020 Greater Binghamton Air Show.
The event, which has drawn thousands of spectators in the past, had been scheduled for July 25 at the Greater Binghamton Airport in the town of Maine. The county says the air show is scheduled to return in 2021.
“This was not an easy decision, but we feel it was necessary,” Broome County Executive Jason Garnar said in an April 7 statement. “The health and safety of our exhibitors, contractors, staff, and community is ultimately our priority, and we must do our part to prevent the spread of COVID-19. We look forward to bringing the event back to Broome County in 2021.”
The county says many of the event’s partners supported the decision and have committed to participate next year.
“In an effort to protect all who are involved, we feel it is the responsible decision to reschedule the Air Show for 2021. In doing so, our local businesses, vendors, and community members will have time to heal and regain their footing,” Broome County Commissioner of Aviation Mark Heefner said. “We are certain that the 2021 Airshow will still be spectacular, and community partners have already signaled their commitment to next year’s event. We are determined to continue working together and have already shifted the focus of our planning efforts to 2021.”
Future of other big summer events
Following the cancellation of the air show, Garnar was asked at his April 7 COVID-19 daily briefing about the prospect of still holding other big summer events in Broome County, such as the July 31-Aug. 2 SpedieFest and the Aug. 10-16 Dick’s Sporting Goods Open.
Garnar said the county is taking it one event at a time, but as the coronavirus spreads in the area, it is starting to look at all the events planned for the rest of the year.
“I think we’re very far away from being able to have large-scale events where thousands of people, even hundreds of people, are all gathered together. We’re very far away,” the county executive said. “That may change on a week-to-week basis. But, it’s hard to imagine having an event that has thousands of people in it today, when I’m telling people to stay at home.”