Despite uncertainty because of the government shutdown and recent sequestration, organizers of the annual Wings, Wheels, Rotors & Expo were pleased with the turnout of visitors and participants in this year’s event, which took place on Sunday at the Joint Forces Training Base.
Military vehicles were limited due to government cutbacks, but there were more civilian participants, some event late, that brought the event up to it usual amount of display vehicles.
“There was a lot there that we hadn’t expected, but came in late,” Los Alamitos Area Chamber of Commerce CEO, Johnnie Strohmyer said.
Early estimates on attendance were that there were about the same, or slightly less attendees than in recent years. Last year, the estimated attendance was between 40 and 50,000 people for the one-day event.
However, advertising and other efforts to spread the word were limited in recent weeks as organizers wondered if they would get a last-minute word that the event would have to be cancelled. Strohmyer said that because of that, she would not be surprised if the numbers were down, but said it did not take away from the feedback they have gotten so far.
“Overall, it was a great day,” Strohmyer said.
