Welcome to Thunder on the Lakeshore!
Saturday, June 5th - Sunday, June 6th
Gates open at 7am!
$5 Admission, Kids under 10 FREE
Airshow Future in Jeopardy!
Thunder on the Lakeshore, Northeast Wisconsin's premier Airshow, is in danger of being canceled. The organizers of "Thunder on the Lakeshore" are hoping to make a big roar in June to honor the memory of one of the founding fathers of the Manitowoc County Airshow. Robert "Crazy Bob" Vanover, who passed away recently, was the man who brought up the idea of getting military jet planes to fly at the local show, and then made it happen when others told him he was crazy. His vision proved to be correct, and the show has featured military jet demos for many years.
In order for the show to go on, though, there are a few hurdles that need to be cleared. Bad weather on the Airshow weekend for the past two years has put a serious dent in the financial side of things, said Curt Drumm, Chairman and Producer of the show. "Some sponsorship standards have to be met or the show will not be held this year. Additionally, there is a need for more volunteers to step up and take over key roles in the organizing of the show."
Drumm said, "We have an extremely dedicated core group of volunteers who give generously of their time every year to make this show the crowd-pleasing success that it has been for the past 17 years. We need a few people with management ability to step up and help us maintain an event that means two to four million dollars annually to the local economy." Help is particularly needed in the crucial area of sponsorship fund raising. The board of the 501c3 Corporation that oversees the show has set some fund-raising standards that must be met in the near future in order for this year's show to go on as scheduled. It is slated for Saturday and Sunday, June 5th and 6th at the Manitowoc County Airport.
"We really want to make this year's show a major success to honor Crazy Bob" said Drumm. Friends of the Airshow are asked to help in any way possible. Sponsorship levels are found elsewhere on this website under the heading of "Sponsors" and include various benefits for different levels. Interested parties can contact Drumm by phone at 920-682-0043 or by email at cdrumm@lakeshoreaviation.com. Or, mail donations directly to:
Thunder On The Lakeshore
1815 Freedom Way Suite 100
Manitowoc WI 54220
Thank you for your support! Only you can help this show go on.
Tribute to Robert "Crazy Bob" Vanover
It was with great sadness that we learned of the passing of Manitowoc Airshow Founder "Crazy Bob" Vanover on Monday January 11, 2010. It was Bob's vision, dream and can-do attitude that got the Thunder On The Lakeshore Airshow started over 18 years ago. From the very first "I'll bet we can get some jets in here", Bob was dedicated to building Thunder On The Lakeshore into one of the best small-town Airshows in the country.
It was Bob's dream to bring top military jets to Manitowoc, and when, at an EAA meeting one night, he said he was going to get on the phone and call the Pentagon to get some, one of the folks nearby said "You're crazy, Bob!". He did it, and the name stuck.
Bob was often seen with eyes to the skies the days before the Airshow when the first jets arrived....screaming overhead with afterburners on. He would be pointing, jumping, yelling and laughing towards the skies, saying "We did it again!" For a guy who never flew an airplane, he had the dedication of a fighter jet pilot.
The Thunder On The Lakeshore Airshow committee had the pleasure of working with Bob over the past 17 years. The show has grown, changed and matured. It's grown to one of the most respected mid-sized airshows in the country. Bob was a big part of that.
Today we face the challenges of a tough economy and a need for a few more key people, working to keep the show going. With the dedication of a great team of volunteers, we'll again be able to point up to the sky on June 5th and say "This one's for you, Bob!" We'll all miss you!
Sincerely,
Curt Drumm
Chairman & Producer - Thunder On The Lakeshore
Volunteer at Thunder on the Lakeshore!
An event of this magnitude is made possible through the continued dedication of volunteers. Thunder on the Lakeshore is curently seeking volunteers to assist in the production of the show.
Click here for more information
Airshow Appreciates Help from Airport Neighbors
Every year there are number of households that help to make the jet demonstration possible by vacating their homes during the portion of the show when the military demonstration teams fly. The FAA requires that airspace and ground underneath it be "sterile," without either airplanes or people. Due to the size of the "jet box" some families are asked not to be in their homes. Thunder On The Lakeshore sincerely thanks these folks for their cooperation. Without them, the big jets couldn't fly. Thanks, Neighbors!