Warriors Over the Wasatch Air Show to bring $50 million into local economy

LAYTON, Utah – The Warriors Over The Wasatch Air Show at Hill Air Force Base this weekend is expected to put roughly $50 million into the local economy, benefiting some area businesses.

Just south of the base, Vern Thompson, owner of Big Sai’s Hawaiian Barbecue says the air show is what drew some his very first customers several years ago. Since then, he says the restaurant is rarely short on customers.

“Everybody comes over here, and because it’s so packed, they’ll use this roadway over here to park,” Thompson said. “And as the years went on, people knew that we were here.”

Thompson’s experience is just one example of many. Kevin Ireland, with the Utah Air Show Foundation, says the show puts money into gas, hotels, as well as area restaurants.

“There’s no other event that happens in Utah that’s this large, that brings this much of an economic impact in such a short period of time,” Ireland said.

Much more than the money going into the economy, Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey Thomas, who helps organize the air show, says the event is the Air Force’s way of giving back.

“This is the most supportive community I’ve been around in my 19 years of service,” Thomas said.

Thompson agrees.

“For what our armed forces do for us, it’s simply amazing,” he said. “Everybody completely supports the families and the men and women that are serving our country.