2016 July 4^th

On June 29^th I made some remarks about the Blue Angels, the aerobatic team of Naval and Marine aviators whose performances enhance the attendance at the Cherry Festival. Their appearance is not universally appreciated. No one doubts their obvious skill; some doubt the wisdom of using our armed forces to provide entertainment for civilians. I agree.

Many of their supporters claim the 140 db racket they produce, and to which many object, is really the sound of freedom. I pointed out in my blog entry that it was surely accompanied by the delightful sound of cash registers ringing. Their ka-chinging must encourage the local merchants to look forward to a more pleasant winter in … anywhere but here.

The largest group of Blue Angel enthusiasts aside from the simple spectacle lovers, are the patriots.  This is the fourth of July so you would expect some patriotic fervor perhaps intermingled with the commercialization of this spectacle. We do have an abundance of commercialization. Hey! Isn’t the verb of the day “monetize?”

There is certainly some monetizing going on based on the Blue Angel’s performances. A splendid new downtown hotel, The Indigo, is offering a real treat: for a mere 100 dollars a person you can have dinner and two (2) drinks on the hotel’s top floor while you watch the Blue Angels’ air show. That fee does not include parking which will add another 15 dollars to your tab. It is assumed that you will also leave a tip.

I called the hotel this morning to inquire about the parking and was told that they were almost sold out, that only a few tickets remained. Of course that could have been a sales ploy but I doubt it. This top floor dinning and viewing opportunity has been available every day the aerobatic team has performed.

Not to be outdone we have a considerable older hotel downtown, the Park Place Hotel, with a top floor restaurant. It offers a buffet and a view of the airshow for a more reasonable 65 dollars. Of course the 65 dollars only gets you a buffet, and nothing is said about any drinks which are no doubt extra.

Much is made of the patriotic nature of this event; after all, it is the Fourth of July. Even so, neither the Hotel Indigo, nor the Park Place, nor any other venue charging admission advertises any concession for veterans. I mean, let’s face it folks, patriotism has its limits.