On Saturday morning, August 17, the South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority (CVA), adjacent to the City of Gary and the Gary/Chicago International Airport, hosted the annual Gary Air Show. Spectators from across the region spread blankets and set up beach chairs on Marquette Park Beach to relax and watch the spectacular stunts of the pilots and skydivers. Food vendors set up trucks and tents to provide visitors with a variety of delicious meals and snacks.
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Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana, Peoples Bank, Strack & Van Til, the Gary SouthShore RailCats, the Albanese Candy Factory and NorthShore Health Centers were among the many sponsors of this year’s air show. Phil Taillon, President and CEO of South Shore CVA, is excited about the return of the Gary Air Show to Marquette Park Beach.
“Many years ago, spectators would gather at Marquette Park Beach to watch the Gary Air Show,” said Taillon. “It was eventually moved to another location, but last year we finally brought the show back here where it belongs. Marquette Park Beach is one of the most beautiful locations in the region and having the air show here again elevates it to an even higher level of quality and helps make it one of the best events in the state of Indiana, if not beyond.”
The U.S. Army’s exclusive Golden Knights Parachute Team, a branch of the Army’s recruiting division, consists of only the Army’s most dedicated, sincere and experienced paratroopers. A Golden Knight opened the air show by descending with an American flag attached to his parachute lines while the announcer sang the national anthem. The rest of the team then demonstrated their parachuting feats to the adoring crowd. After all team members landed, they greeted those in attendance and participated in a question-and-answer session. The stunt pilots then took to the skies above Lake Michigan and wowed the crowd with their death-defying stunts.
This is the first year Whiting resident John Sallas has attended the air show. He wore the 1974 Golden Knight parachute uniform that belonged to his late father, Joe Sallas, a Green Beret Special Forces Army paratrooper during the Korean War. Joe Sallas was named an honorary Golden Knight when he successfully tested a captured – and possibly booby-trapped – Russian parachute to learn its special purpose. John Sallas considers the Gary Air Show an excellent opportunity to honor his father’s memory.
“I’m really excited to share my father’s story with the other spectators and wear his suit to honor him,” said John Sallas. “I’m proud to be able to stand here and watch the Golden Knights’ routine. Freedom is not free, and I just want to pay my respects to all the veterans who have paid the price for our democracy. Our country is in a very serious situation right now. Instead of being divided, we should focus on coming together. The air show is a great reminder of that, and that’s why I love this event.”
Attendees enjoyed food and treats from Crown Creamery, Kona Ice, Polly Ann Cakes, The Cheesy Truck and Impulso Wood Fired Pizza. Representatives from organizations such as Indiana Dunes Tourism, T-Mobile, The Museum at Lassen’s Resort and Indiana American Water interacted with attendees and provided them with information. Taillon and his team are excited for the opportunity to provide area residents with another exciting episode of the Gary Air Show.
“I hope everyone enjoys the show and has a great time here today,” said Taillon. “There are so many great people and families here in Lake County. I believe they deserve to have an event of this caliber right on their doorstep. They can always go to the Chicago Air Show, but this event is close and easy to get to. I’m very pleased we were able to put on this event for everyone in our county.”
For more information about upcoming South Shore CVA events, visit southshorecva.com.
