Blue Angels Performance at 2013 Shrinerfest Cancelled

Even the Blue Angels aren't swift enough to evade budget cut ax.

The Evansville Courier and Press reports the United States Navy has cancelled all remaining shows for their premiere fighter jets including a stop in Evansville at this year's Shrinersfest along the riverfront.

While disappointed, Hadi Shriner spokesman, Brian Ball tells the Courier and Press the Shriners "already had a fantastic air show planned, with or without them."

Other cancelled performances include a show scheduled for June 15-16 in Indianapolis.

A statement released by Lt. Aaron V. Kakiel, a spokesman for the commander of Naval Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, states that "current defense policy states that outreach events can only be supported with local assets at no cost to the government...This is one of many steps the Navy is taking to ensure resources are in place to support forces operating forward now and those training to relieve them."

The Shriners are expected to release details for this years Shrinersfest in early May.

[Source: Evansville Courier and Press]