Air Show features old and new
By Amy Lavalley Post-Tribune correspondent July 3, 2012 3:40PM
Elgin Wells' unique LED light cover acrobatic plane is one of the new acts scheduled to perform during Gary's South Shore Air Show July 6-8, 2012. | photo by Jim Koepnick
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Maps
Updated: August 6, 2012 6:18AM
The 13th Gary South Shore Air Show includes a mix of new and familiar performers when it heads to the skies over Marquette Park July 6, 7 and 8.
The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds will again headline the show, marking their seventh return to the event.
Other acts include Elgin Wells’ Starjammer, Bob Carlton Vertigo Airshows, U.S. Army Golden Knights, Lima Lima, Aerostar, Firebirds, Dave Dacy and Wingwalker Tony Kazian, Matt Chapman and Bill Stein. Herb Hunter will again serve as the show’s announcer.
“There are a couple of new faces in our attempt to keep the show fresh and different,” said Speros Batistatos, president and chief executive officer for the South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority, which is hosting the event for the seventh year.
Even the performers new to the show — that includes Starjammer and Vertigo Airshows — have years of performing experience, Batistatos said.
“We are very careful about working with teams that are very safe,” he said, adding safety, talent and showmanship are the main things the SSCVA looks for in its performers.
This also marks the third year the show is being held along the beach. Marquette Park is undergoing a $28 million renovation, which should be complete before next year’s Air Show.
The construction area, which includes a festival pavilion, will be fenced off and secured during the Air Show, Batistatos said.
The Twilight Show takes begins at 5:30 p.m. July 6, though the Thunderbirds will practice at 3:30 p.m. Food vendors and a beer garden will be available; the show that night will conclude with fireworks.
The air show the rest of the weekend takes place from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., rain or shine. Food vendors and a beer garden will be available; coolers are not allowed at the Air Show at any time.
