South Shore Air Show set to take off July 15-17

The 12th Annual Gary’s South Shore Air Show will be held July 15-17 at Marquette Park and Beach in Gary, Indiana.  The Friday evening through Sunday event will showcase dozens of military and civilian aircraft in feats of force and finesse flying over Lake Michigan.

Scheduled acts include the US Army Golden Knights, US Navy F-18 Super Hornet, Lima Lima Flight Team, Bill Stein, Team AeroShell, Aerostars, Dave Dacy & Wingwalker Tony Kazian, Viper Airshows, Matt Chapman and headliners, Heavy Metal Jet Team.

Last year, I had the opportunity to fly with Team AeroShell in a training flight before the air show began. The Lima Lima team was there as well. I wished that we’d made plans to stay for the actual air show because the things those planes did in practice were amazing to watch — and even more amazing to experience from the inside of the plane.

If you’re looking for amazing things to see, consider the Friday evening Twilight Show on July 15, which offers a rare opportunity to enjoy a full air show at sunset on the beach. The show begins at 6pm and will conclude at sunset with a fireworks finale. Parking is only available in the paid parking lot for $20 per car.

On Saturday and Sunday, the air show begins at noon and ends at 4pm each day. Admission is free.  Paid parking near the beach is $20. Free parking and a shuttle to Marquette Park are available at Majestic Star Casino and Hotel in Gary. Parking is also available at West Beach in Portage for $5 per car.  Directions to parking venues are available on at GaryAirShow.com.

Coolers are not permitted on the beach for the air show, but nearly 20 food and drink vendors will be on hand.