After concerns that Shrinersfest may not continue, on Tuesday officials say the festival will go on next year with the addition of a high flying act sure to draw big crowds.
Next July, the Blue Angels are set to fly high above downtown Evansville once again after speculation the Shrinersfest could be on it's way out.
Take the food, the games, the rides, then add in the Blue Angels and organizer Dale Thomas says you have a recipe for a successful 2013 Shrinersfest.
"Our big opportunity this next year is that the Blue Angels are at least penciled in. We have not signed the final contracts with them, but it's pretty set now. The Blue Angels should be here," Thomas said.
Two years ago, the fest saw smalls crowds. So last year, the shriners had to make a decision.
"Nobody wants to fail, and despite the fact we lost money the year before we decided we wanted to give it another year and try to push this," Thomas said.
After a successful fest this year, organizers are already working on plans for 2013, including more entertainment and more vendors, all for the cost of a button.
"We have no plans of raising the cost of the buttons. The buttons will only be used on the latter part of the weekend," Thomas said.
Another change is the festival will be held around the 4th of July, which could help bring people out for the fest and the most famous flying team in the world.
"The most exciting thing is we're going to have them here over the 4th of July. When we're celebrating our country's independence, we're going to have the Blue Angels flying in the sky," Thomas said.
Before the Shrinersfest, the Blue Angels made their first appearance at the Freedom Festival in 2001.
The cost of a button for next year will remain at $5.
Shrinersfest is set to begin on July 3.
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