Gary Air Show again to go into wild blue yonder
COVID-19 pandemic, financial challenges had grounded the event
The Gary Air Show is returning to the Marquette Park lakefront Aug. 5-6 for the first time since 2016.
Specific acts haven’t been announced yet, but the city promised a lineup of national, international and regional aviators.
“The city of Gary is ecstatic to welcome back the Gary Air Show,” said Mayor Jerome Prince, who said the COVID-19 pandemic and financial challenges grounded the event.
Prince said “our city’s ability to put on an event with the magnitude and precision like the Gary Air Show is better than ever.”
The city gained back its former sponsor, the South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority.
“We are excited to be a part of this event,” SSCVA Chairman Andy Qunell said. “It is our mission to support attractions throughout the South Shore Indiana region — so the Gary Air Show is a perfect opportunity for us to get involved by attracting visitors to the City of Gary and promoting what the city has to offer.”
Like past years, the Gary/ Chicago International Airport will be the staging site for the planes. It’s also the staging ground for the Chicago Air Show.
“Our airport has been able to fill in an increasingly important niche in the economy of Northwest Indiana over the years by supporting our regional economy and promoting local tourism,” GCIA Authority Chairman Pete Visclosky said.
“We are overjoyed to continue filling this niche by supporting and promoting the Gary Air Show.”
Like past years, the Gary/ Chicago International Airport will be the staging site for the planes. It’s also the staging ground for the Chicago Air & Water Show, planned for Aug. 19-20.
In 2015, the city took over the operation of the show from the SSCVA, which started sponsoring it in 2006 after the city plunged into a financial crisis.
Back then, officials estimated it cost about $350,000 for the two-day show, which drew thousands to the lakefront.
Former SSCVA leader Speros Batistatos said it lost about $1.4 million in the nine years it produced the air show at Marquette Park. During that time period, past city administrations balked at charging spectators for parking.
That changed in 2015 when the city charged $30, $20 and $10 parking fees.
The U.S. Navy Blue Angels headlined the last show in 2016.
The city halted the show in 2017 when former Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson said it couldn’t find enough corporate backers to fund it.
It suffered other hiccups along the way.
In 2013, the SSCVA canceled the show because of the federal sequestration when Congress couldn’t reach a budget deal.
In 2014, the SSCVA shifted the air show south to Fair Oaks Farm in Newton County, a move that drew controversy.
That show was canceled because heavy rains drenched parking areas.
Former Mayor Scott King launched the air show in 2000 after the airport became the staging area for the performers in the Chicago Air & Water Show in 1997.