The Flying F-16C Fighting Falcon Thunderbirds perform at the 2015 Milwaukee Air & Water Show. Credit: Mike De Sisti

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There will be no Milwaukee Air & Water Show this year as organizers turn their sights toward putting on a 2017 show.

Scheduling conflicts and financial struggles were cited in the decision, with organizers emphasizing that this year's show has been "postponed" a year to give them more time to plan the next show.

The U.S. Navy's popular Blue Angels already have been booked as the headliners for the 2017 show, which has been scheduled for July 15, 16 and 17 on Milwaukee's lakefront.

"Bringing world-class acts to Milwaukee and putting on a spectacular show for free to the public can be a challenging business model without ample community support," director Rudy Malnati Jr. said in statement.

"Funds are needed to pay for performers, aircraft fuel, parking, safety and security personnel and grounds staff. In recent years we have been, and still are, facing a lack of adequate financial support to cover these costs."

The news hit the show's fans hard on Tuesday. Debbie Agpoon of Shorewood was looking forward to going to the show again this year after she, her husband and their 6-year-old son, Henry, viewed it for the first time in 2015.

They had just moved to the Milwaukee area and were impressed by the quality of the show, as well as how easy it was to view it.

"One of the things we really liked about the show last year, even though the lakefront was busy and energetic it was (easy) getting down there," Agpoon said. They just snagged a free parking spot a short distance away and walked down the hill to have a picnic in the park while watching the show.

Henry, now 7, had a great time, his mother said, and they were looking forward to seeing it again. It's disappointing to have to wait another year, but they're excited to hear the Blue Angels have been booked.

"The Blue Angels will totally be worth it," she said.

Postponing the show a year also gives organizers more time to appeal to the public for support, specifically from additional sponsors.

"Contributions to supporting our cause will help educate and inspire future generations for careers in aviation, and the armed services, and we believe we can secure ample support in time for the scheduled 2017 show, and we ask the community for that support," Malnati said.

The show started in 2004. Organizers estimate it draws nearly 400,000 people to the lakefront over the weekend, but it also sometimes has found itself at the mercy of Mother Nature. The air portion of the 2014 show had to be canceled at the last minute because of the thick fog that lingered over Milwaukee that weekend.

The Blue Angels had been scheduled to perform that year after a four-year absence. The show returned in 2015 with the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds.

"Summers in Milwaukee are busy and filled with incredible attractions," Mayor Tom Barrett said in a written statement reacting to the news Tuesday. "I'm disappointed we won't have the Air Show in 2016, but I join Milwaukeeans in looking forward to a great show in 2017."