With the cancellation of this year's 36th annual West Coast Cub Fly-In event in Lompoc due to the coronavirus, its return next year is uncertain.
Club members said in a statement that a financial hardship has been placed on the 2021 event due to the cancellation of this year's event. Typically, events generate funds for subsequent years' offerings.Â
Now, club members are soliciting suggestions from community members in the hopes of securing the 2021 event.Â
For the past 35 years, the three-day event held in early July has played host to more than 100 World War II-era aircraft of historic importance at the city's municipal airport. Thousands of spectators have gathered at the tarmac to witness pilots competing in flying contests and get an up-close view of planes on display.Â
The event is known primarily for its high turnout of Piper Cubs, a light aircraft model that was manufactured between 1937 and 1947 and used extensively during World War II. Owners and pilots of the distinctive yellow planes travel from all over the country each year for the Lompoc fly-in.
This year's event was canceled, according to the statement, due to the club's limited ability to meet changing health guidelines since the event draws such a large turnout. Members also cited cancellation of this year's 68th annual Lompoc Flower Festival as an indication of the difficulty in securing city permits and approvals because of the pandemic.Â
For more information or to offer suggestions for the 2021 event, contact club President Keith Kie at EAAchapter275@gmail.com, or 805-280-9486.
GALLERY: Piper Cubs dominate Lompoc's sky
Bright yellow Piper Cub airplanes once again buzzed through the sky over Lompoc on Friday and Saturday during an event that is billed as the longest-running of its kind. The 33rd annual West Coast Cub Fly-In kicked into high gear Saturday with piloting contests and other festivities at the Lompoc Airport. In addition to seeing the historic planes in action, attendees were also able to get up-close views of the aircraft on the ground and interact with the pilots, many of whom traveled to Lompoc from out of state.
33rd Annual West Coast Cub Fly-In at the Lompoc Airport. John Callan, Contributor
- Symbiotic Artistry John Callan
33rd Annual West Coast Cub Fly-In at the Lompoc Airport. John Callan, Contributor
- John Callan
33rd Annual West Coast Cub Fly-In at the Lompoc Airport. John Callan, Contributor
- John Callan
33rd Annual West Coast Cub Fly-In at the Lompoc Airport. John Callan, Contributor
- John Callan
33rd Annual West Coast Cub Fly-In at the Lompoc Airport. John Callan, Contributor
- John Callan
33rd Annual West Coast Cub Fly-In at the Lompoc Airport. John Callan, Contributor
- Symbiotic Artistry John Callan
33rd Annual West Coast Cub Fly-In at the Lompoc Airport. John Callan, Contributor
- Symbiotic Artistry John Callan
33rd Annual West Coast Cub Fly-In at the Lompoc Airport. John Callan, Contributor
- Symbiotic Artistry John Callan
33rd Annual West Coast Cub Fly-In at the Lompoc Airport. John Callan, Contributor
- John Callan
33rd Annual West Coast Cub Fly-In at the Lompoc Airport. John Callan, Contributor
- Symbiotic Artistry John Callan
33rd Annual West Coast Cub Fly-In at the Lompoc Airport. John Callan, Contributor
- John Callan
33rd Annual West Coast Cub Fly-In at the Lompoc Airport. John Callan, Contributor
- Symbiotic Artistry John Callan
33rd Annual West Coast Cub Fly-In at the Lompoc Airport. John Callan, Contributor
- Symbiotic Artistry John Callan
About 20 volunteers, who also received support from the Lompoc Parks Division, began repainting much of the skate park in bright new colors Tuesday evening, with an eye on completing the renovation by Wednesday evening. The community-wide effort was started after someone tagged the park this month with obscene graffiti.