Goshen’s annual air and fireworks show that takes place at the Goshen Municipal Airport and is attended by thousands of residents, will be pushed back until further notice this year.

Organizers of America’s Freedom Fest announced today, Feb. 19, that the 2021 edition, slated for Saturday, July 10 at the Goshen Municipal Airport has been postponed until further notice in light of the uncertainty linked to the current COVID-19 health crisis.

Randy Sharkey, Goshen Airport Manager and co-founder of Freedom Fest said, “the board of directors unanimously agreed to postpone the annual air show and fireworks show in response to the pandemic and the large number of visitors the show attracts each year. 

Sharkey estimated the crowd at the 2019 show to be between 22,000 and 24,000. The estimate does not include all of the airport’s neighboring residents that host family reunions and get-togethers on that day to watch the shows from outside.

“We are obviously disappointed not to be able to hold this huge patriotic event in our community this year”, stated Dr. Gregg Lanzen, the show’s co-founder and President of the Board. “We spent many hours as a committee looking at different options of how to safely host this year’s event and the end result was we need to postpone until our county no longer has any restrictions on large event gatherings.”

According to airshowstuff.com America’s Freedom Fest is one of only two air shows scheduled in Indiana in 2021. The other airshow is scheduled at the Madison Municipal Airport, Madison, Ind., on September 25, 2021. 

“I want to thank the organizers for working diligently with our County Health Department to find a safe way to host the show, and ultimately making the tough but responsible decision to postpone,” Mayor Jeremy Stutsman said. “I know I’m not alone when saying I look forward to a time when we can safely return to attending events like this one soon.”