ORGANISERS FORCED TO CANCEL THIS YEAR’S BRAY AIR DISPLAY
BRAY Air Display will not go ahead at all this year, organisers have announced.
The event was due to proceed on July 25 and 26. The committee decided last month to cancel those dates but had hoped that the show could go ahead in the autumn.
They have now announced that the air display will now be postponed until 2021.
‘After very careful consideration, the unprecedented impact of the global pandemic has forced this decision in the interests of the health and safety of spectators, participants and the organising team,’ said organisers in a statement. ‘We will focus our energies on creating a spectacular event for 2021 when we hope to celebrate happier, safer times.’
Spokesman for the event Mick Glynn said that last year 120,000 people attended over the course of two days.
‘We had hoped that we might be able to do something smaller in September, but logistically that isn’t possible,’ said Mick.
He said that administration around the event includes 13 weeks notice for the event licence. There would also be difficulties around social distancing, including on public transport to get people in and out of the town.
There would also be performers travelling to Ireland from other countries, and commercial airlines will probably not be back up and running. ‘Everyone is expecting a quiet summer now and that’s it,’ said Mick, who said that the focus is now on organising a spectacular air display for next summer.
The decision to cancel the event follows restrictions on gatherings of over 5,000, expected to extend until at least September.
Supported by the Irish Aviation Authority, the line-up was to include some of the most skilled aerobatic performers from across the world and involve over 40 aircraft.
The annual event also includes food and craft markets, bounce world and funfair rides.
Bray Air Display won silver in 2019 in ‘Best Tourism Initiative’ at the All-Ireland Community and Council Awards.