EAA AirVenture 2020 canceled over COVID-19 concerns

By: Associated Press

Posted: May 1, 2020 8:34 AM CDT

OSHKOSH, Wis. (AP/CBS 58) -- EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, an event that draws hundreds of thousands of people from all around the globe is the latest event to be canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The announcement was made Friday, May 1.

AirVenture update: #OSH20 canceled due to COVID-19 fallout. Jack Pelton message: https://t.co/y6WNikHAGc. Pre-sale purchasers to be notified of 2021 rollover/refund process. pic.twitter.com/8UHYsp8hvj
— EAA (@EAA) May 1, 2020

Organizers of the Experimental Aircraft Association's annual fly-in and convention say the uncertainty of COVID-19 has forced them to cancel the July 20-26 event.

Approximately 642,000 people attended the convention last year when more than 10,000 aircraft arrived at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh and other airports in east-central Wisconsin.

EAA CEO Jack Pelton says that since Wisconsin is still under a stay-at-home order, it eliminates organizers' ability to start grounds preparation, which they would begin Friday.

Contributions to this story also made by: CBS 58 Newsroom