Planning a new event with the hope that it attracts a lot of people and is successful can cause a bit of anxiety.
Organizers of “Birds and Brews” can exhale and relax, though, because the Sept. 18 event at Columbus Municipal Airport was a soaring success.
A new event was needed because of scheduling conflicts with Aviation Day, traditionally conducted in June at the airport. When Columbus Municipal Airport Director Brian Payne learned that a military flight demonstration team from Canada was looking for a midweek show in the United States, he seized the opportunity.
Although the air show would be on a Wednesday and not a Saturday as usual, Payne viewed it as an opportunity to attract some new attendees.
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And attract it did.
Organizers estimated that more than 7,000 people came to “Birds and Brews,” which featured the Canadian Forces Snowbirds, a beer garden with a special Canadian brew made by ZwanzigZ just for the event, food, children’s activities and a balloon glow.
During the 4 ½-hour event, attendees enjoyed perfect weather and amazing aerial acrobatics.
Payne said in March when the event was announced that it was an opportunity for people to see a “world-class” show.
They must have thought so, too, because Payne said attendance was “way more than we ever had had before” for an event at the airport.
Hosting the Canadian Forces Snowbirds again would be worth strong consideration, but if it proves to be only a one-time appearance, city and airport officials should consider a similar aerial unit because “Birds and Brews” was a big hit.
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