An Institution is Gone
Fort Worth's Alliance Air Show canceled after 32 years
The AllianceTexas Aviation Expo will not take place in 2023.
The AllianceTexas Aviation Expo - formerly known as the Bell Fort Worth Alliance Air Show - will not take place in 2023, and perhaps not ever again, according to release issued by Alliance Air Productions on June 7.
A tradition for 32 years, the show has long been regarded as one of the best in the nation. Over the years, it has showcased the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, U.S. Navy Blue Angels, and other airplane demonstration teams, as well as parachutists, stunt pilots, and more.
The release was light on details behind the reason for the cancellation, but indicated that the growth of the Alliance region of Fort Worth - where the event took place - played a part.
"Largely as a result of that growth and due to unavoidable conflicts in scheduling and logistics, Alliance Air Productions will not host the AllianceTexas Aviation Expo in 2023," the release states. "We completely understand and are sensitive to the disappointment of the many loyal and dedicated sponsors, volunteers, and fans.
"We remain committed to the goals of bringing family entertainment to North Texas, supporting local communities, and opening doors to various career paths in aviation and aerospace. Please know that plans for future events are being evaluated."
The annual event took place on the third or fourth weekend in October at Fort Worth Alliance Airport. Its name was changed from the Bell Fort Worth Alliance Air Show to AllianceTexas Aviation Expo in 2022.
Hillwood officials declined to answer specific questions, including whether the event might return in the future, but sent CultureMap the following statement:
"Since 2020, we have been working to reconfigure the show to accommodate a variety of logistics challenges in order to produce a high-quality air show for the community and to support our non-profit efforts. Alliance Air Productions is committed to exploring options for the future that allows the show to be enjoyed the way it was meant to be enjoyed – jet team performance and optimal viewing for attendees combined with education, entertainment, and aircraft static displays.
"We completely understand and are sensitive to the disappointment of the many loyal and dedicated sponsors, volunteers, and fans, so please know that planning for future events is ongoing. We remain committed to the goal of bringing family entertainment to North Texas, supporting local communities, and opening doors to various career paths in aviation and aerospace."
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