Since 2017, the Tiger Squadron warbirds have been soaring in the skies over the iconic Manhattan Beach Pier and Strand in Manhattan Beach, California, at the Tour de Pier stationary cycling fundraiser to show solidarity in supporting cancer research and patients, as well as honoring those who have lost the battle.
The precision-formatted team of skilled pilots flying nine vintage planes has been the highlight of the Tour de Pier, which draws more than 10,000 people in attendance annually.
Except, of course, for this year, when the fundraiser was postponed. But even though the ground-bound activities didn’t happen, the Tiger Squadron still took flight.
Adapting to the new norm, event organizers and supporters of the Tour de Pier, and the Tiger Squadron decided to go ahead with the flight to continue raising awareness — and money — for cancer research and patient resource.
The Tour de Pier benefit three cancer charities: the Hirshberg Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research, the Cancer Support Community Redondo Beach and the Uncle Kory Foundation for Brain Cancer Research. It has raised more than $7.3 million since its debut in 2013.
