Dec. 06--The Blue Angels, the U.S. Navy's famous flight demonstration squadron, will return to the Chippewa Valley Regional Airport Sept. 7-8 in 2013.

The announcement was made Monday in Las Vegas.

"We weren't given any indication that we were going to have a show until the official announcement was made," said Gary Gilger, executive director of the Chippewa Valley Council Boy Scouts of America, which is again sponsoring the air show.

"It was kind of a surprise. We heard a rumor that we might get it, but normally they give you a call before they make the announcement, to let you know," Gilger said. "Regardless, we're just excited to be having it again in Eau Claire. The good thing is we have two years to get things organized and in place, which is perfect."

This is the third time the Boy Scouts have sponsored the event, with the others in 2008 and 2010. The Eau Claire Jaycees sponsored it nine previous times.

"We wanted to sponsor this to bring attention to the Boy Scouts, to show that we exist and to show off what we do," Gilger said. "We kind of saw this as a community service event too."

Gilger said a committee of about 65 people is already in place and will work with volunteers and sponsors to provide a quality event. The Blue Angels are typically the final act each day, with many other displays and performances at the airport.

"Having this much time to prepare will allow us to have more sponsors and allow us to bring more acts to the air show," Gilger said.

The Scouts earned about $100,000 from the 2010 air show, which was used for capital improvements at the organization's camp near Haugen. About $80,000 also went to nonprofit organizations that provided services at the air show.

"The biggest thing is that we know we're going to have a show here," Gilger said. "We'll let that sink in for a couple of days and start planning it."

There may also be advantages to having the air show the weekend after Labor Day.

"The Blue Angels will be able to go into schools and visit, college students will be here, and maybe more people will be in town since it's after the holiday," Gilger said. "And, as always, we're hoping to for two days of sunshine."

Airport manager Charity Speich was not aware of the air show coming to the city until notified Monday by a Leader-Telegram reporter.

"I did not hear they were coming, but if they are, that would be excellent," Speich said. "We would love it, and the people who see it will love it."

The Blue Angels are scheduled to perform 69 demonstrations at 35 locations in 2012 and 65 demonstrations at 32 locations in 2013 throughout North America. The 2013 season celebrates 100 years of Marine aviation.

The Blue Angels are scheduled to perform in Maryland the weekend before Eau Claire and in Maine the week after.

According to the Blue Angels website, demonstration sites are selected in support of the Defense Department objectives and in the interest of the armed services with safety as the primary consideration. Performances assist in the recruiting and retention goals for the military, and demonstrate the professional skills and capabilities of the Naval services to the American public and U.S. allies.

Rupnow can be reached at 715-830-5831, 800-236-7077 or [email protected].

Copyright 2011 - The Leader-Telegram, Eau Claire, Wis.