Air show to benefit laid-off workers

Angela Soo

Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2001 | 8:24 a.m.

Profits from the second annual Las Vegas Air Show this weekend will benefit thousands of workers laid off in the wake of the terrorist attacks, Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman said Monday.

The air show, which will feature the Air Force's aerial demonstration team the Thunderbirds, is slated Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. at the Jean Sports Aviation Center, 25 miles south of Las Vegas.

A carnival featuring food, exhibits and live entertainment will be held both days from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. An opening parade is scheduled for Saturday at 11 a.m.

Tickets are $12 at the gate. Children 10 and under are free. Tickets may be purchased in advance for $10 at any Ticketmaster outlet, or by calling 474-4000.

Air show organizers donated 57,000 tickets to area middle schools.

"The city is very conscious of what happened since Sept. 11 ... with all the layoffs in the community," Goodman said. "The city is giving complete support to the Air Force and our country."

In a joint effort between the Las Vegas Air Show and its sponsors, the United Way's Displaced Workers Fund will receive 10 percent of the profits, along with 75 percent of the contributions for displaced workers collected at the event.

"We need additional funds to keep families from being evicted," said Garth Winckler, president of the United Way of Southern Nevada. "We should continue to do the fun things that we always do, and at the same time, support the community."

The show will also feature appearances by the Air Force Special Forces, A-10 Thunderbolt, F-117 stealth fighter, a Desert Storm re-enactment and a B-1B bomber, one of the aircraft used in Afghanistan, a spokeswoman for the Thunderbirds said.

Primm Valley Resorts will offer free park-and-ride services behind Buffalo Bill's from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The event is expected to draw 100,000 people.

"We're extremely honored to perform in the local area," DeDe Halfhill, a Thunderbirds spokeswoman, said. "I think folks need to see that right now.