Air show lifts patriotic spirit, but fails to raise much money

Angela Soo and Ed Koch

Monday, Oct. 22, 2001 | 10:38 a.m.

Money tossed into donation buckets by an estimated 80,000 visitors to a weekend airshow was just a drop in the bucket of what was expected to be raised for local laid-off workers

"To say I am disappointed is a big understatement," Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman said today upon learning that the United Way's Displaced Workers Fund received less than $2,400 from donation buckets and water sales from the second annual Las Vegas Air Show Saturday and Sunday in Jean.

And given a poorer turnout than many expected, it is not yet known whether there will be any profits, 10 percent of which were to go to the United Way's fund, organizers said.

Goodman said he had expected a bigger turnout for the air show because he had attended shows by the Air Force Thunderbirds air demonstration squadron at Nellis Air Force Base that drew 150,000 to 200,000 people. The Thunderbirds were the featured performers at the Jean show.

United Way spokeswoman Gena Satori said today the total from the six sealed buckets at the ticket booths and the sale of water was $2,344.81.

Scott Darst, vice president of the Las Vegas Air Show, said today it was too early to tell whether the show made a profit to add to that donation.

The show's overhead included the Thunderbirds receiving $6,000 per day, per show, the group's standard fee.

Tickets were $12 apiece with children under 10 admitted free.

Darst initially believed the donation buckets raised a lot of money: "It was great. About 98 percent of the people who came put money in the bucket," he said Sunday.

Also, 75 percent of the money raised at the air show by the America Keeps Rolling tour -- a patriotically wrapped stretch Hummer limo that is traveling across the United States collecting donations -- was to go to the same fund.

The total raised from that promotion was not available today.

Regardless of money raised, people attending the event said the show was impressive.

A demonstration of bombs blasting the desert valley gave spectators a small taste of what war might feel like.

"We had no idea of the extent of it," Kathy Werner, a general counsel of Metro Police's union, said Sunday. "I didn't think they were going to drop any bombs."

The bombs were simulated, but created enough fire and noise to convince spectators that the explosions were real.

"I could feel the heat from the bombs," said Werner, who was there with her husband and two sons. "I know we'll be back next year."

The four-hour-long air show on Saturday and Sunday took place at the Jean Sports Aviation Center, and, in addition to the Thunderbirds, featured a dozen other aircraft.

"It's great for the American spirit," said Eddie Gray, a cement mason.

The Thunderbirds performed a 30-minute grand finale on both days.

"The precision flying was breathtaking," said Betty Gray, an accountant who was there with her husband. "This gives people who have no idea about the military a chance to see how good they are."