STUART, Fla. — The Audi Stuart Air Show is a signature event along the Treasure Coast, one bringing thousands of families together each year at Witham Field. Friday’s fatal Grumman OV-1 Mohawk crash is unlike any in the event's history. Which created uncertainty moving forward this weekend.
Rich Takacs, traveled from Atlanta, one of nearly 100 vendors who set up shop at the airshow. It's a fixture for so many Martin Co. families. Takacs says he knows his customers and knows the risks.
”I’ve seen that kind of thing before,” said Takacs. “I didn’t see what happened today - I saw the immediate after-effects.”
Surrounded by empty inflatables, food stands, and tactical military aircraft, Friday's crash created uncertainty for the remainder of this weekend's event. Tanner Scott, a ground operations representative for the air show says he and others have worked since Monday from 4 a.m. to 9 p.m. to prepare for the annual event.
It's a celebration of aviation. Friday’s opening day included 750 school kids on an educational field trip. A trip tragically cut short. Still Scott says the airshow remains on its core mission.
”Inspiring our future and honoring our past,” Tanner said. “We understand you spent your hard-earned money here with us and we’re going to give you your full experience.”
An official release from the executive director of the Audi Stuart Air Show says organizers hope to hold the day air show at it’s regularly scheduled time on Saturday. Friday’s evening air show has been rescheduled for Saturday at 6 p.m. If you had a Friday night general admission ticket it will be honored Saturday night or during a Saturday or Sunday day show.
The TD Bank Dirty Flight Suit Party will be held on Saturday at 6 p.m.