This Gary Air Show returns in 2023 on August 5th & 6th, 2023 and showcases various aircraft, including fighter jets, military planes and draws a large crowd of aviation enthusiasts. The timing is great, right after the movie “Top Gun 2: Maverick” which is now on TV has re-engaged fans throughout the country.

Since the Gary Air Show’s last performance in 2016, the Gary/Chicago International Airport has extended its runway and improved other infrastructure. The event is to be held at Marquette Park, where there will be vendors, retail, food trucks, and music. There will be plenty of food vendors and live music performances throughout the day. 

Warbird Thunder Airshows is one of the performers that is excited to perform at the Gary Air Show (Facebook Link) in Gary, Indiana (Facebook Link) on August 5th & 6th, 2023. The airshow will be on the south shore of Lake Michigan at the beautiful Marquette Park just outside of the Indiana Dunes National Park. There is a great line-up of performers and we will do our part to add to the excitement. 

U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Team

Millions of people throughout the world see the Golden Knights  at  over 70 demonstration sites across the nation and abroad. These Army ambassadors perform precision free-fall demonstrations to connect the Army with people in towns who rarely, if ever, see a soldier. These men and women, tell their Army story to all they meet to increase the propensity to join the all-volunteer force. Preparation for the demonstration itself begins hours prior to the performance.

The aviation detachment (Team Six) prepares the aircraft for takeoff, smoke is rigged, flags packed, weather checked and media briefs are given to the media riders by the designated safety demonstrator. The C147A Dash 8 takes off 30-40 minutes prior to time on target. The flight pattern is established, black and gold wind drift indicators are dropped and they climb to altitude.

U.S. Navy T-45 Goshawk

The U.S. Navy T-45A Goshawk is a two-seat aircraft used to train Navy and Marine Corps pilots for jet carrier and tactical strike missions. The T-45 is a modified version of the Hawk advanced jet trainer used by the Royal Air Force and flown by the Red Arrows aerobatic display team. Landing gear modifications, a strengthened airframe and undercarriage for catapult launches, and the addition of a tailhook were all incorporated into the design so it could operate from an aircraft carrier.

Bill Stein Airshows

Bill Stein has logged more than 7,000 hours of aerobatic and formation flight. Bill began flying aerobatics when he was still a student pilot and has been dedicated to perfecting his skills ever since.  Since 1995 Bill has performed at air shows across the United States and has entertained millions of air show fans.

Bill’s passion for precision flying is evident in his dazzling air show routine.  He trains every day so that his skills stay razor sharp, and to maintain the all-out energy and excitement he puts into his air show sequence. 

Bill’s experience includes competitive aerobatics and years of flying on the world-famous Red Baron Stearman Squadron.

Susan Dacy ‘Big Red’

Susan is one of only a few females performing airshows in a biplane, and is the only woman flying exhibition in the Super Stearman.

Attending airshows as a child, Susan remembers being in awe of the big, loud, smoky biplanes. As a teenager, yearning to fly, Susan felt the only way to fly a Stearman was to have one of her own. At the family airport, located in Harvard, Illinois, Susan worked in the office, fueled planes and eventually acquired a rebuildable Stearman Project. While in high school, every spare hour was spent restoring the aircraft, which she still owns and operates today.

Rob Holland

Rob Holland is one of the most decorated, respected and innovative aerobatic pilots and airshow performers in the world today. Flying the MXS-RH, an all carbon fiber, competition–ready, single-seat aerobatic airplane designed and built by MX Aircraft, Rob Holland brings an unrivaled performance to airshows across North America, thrilling millions of spectators with his dynamic and breathtaking display.
Ed Hamill – Folds of Honor Biplane

Ed performs in the Folds of Honor Biplane, raising awareness and funds for the charity’s mission to provide educational scholarships to the spouses and children of military members who have fallen or been disabled while serving in the US Armed  Forces. 

Kevin Coleman

Kevin Coleman began airplane and aerobatic flight lessons at the age of 10 in his family’s Decathlon aircraft from aerobatic Hall of Fame Legend Marion Cole. He soloed at age 16 and earned his pilot’s license at age 17 flying his first air show performance at age 18. He was the first American to fly in the Challenger Class of the Red Bull Air Race and earned a spot on the prestigious U.S. Advanced Aerobatic Team.

More performers are yet to be announced, but typically the air show features stunt pilots, military jets, and aerial acts like wingwalkers, the Lima Lima Flight Team, and the Aerostars and the Aeronautical University Flight team.

The event will be held at Marquette Park, located outside the Indiana Dunes National Park. However, patrons can also view the air show from the National Park, probably West Beach would also be another location. 

The Chicago Air and Water show is returning for its 64th year along the lakefront next month with two days of performances. Between 10:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Aug. 19 and 20th, 2023. Planes take off and land at the Gary/Chicago International Airport in Gary, Indiana. All pilots perform stunts over the water in a set safety area. When a plane does fly over buildings, it is merely doing so in its flight path to return to the show area or the airport. In the past are crowds of people gather at the Gary/Chicago International Airport just watching the planes take off and land.

Parking: 

At Marquette Park, across from Aquatorium.
$40 for one day, $60 for the weekend. 

Email here for vendor applications or for more information

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Sue Baxter

Susie Young Baxter, CEO, has published PanoramaNOW Magazine for 31 years. Her hobbies are Camping, Boating, Hiking, Nature, Gardening and Outdoor Activities. She is an Artist, Graphic Designer, an Avid Seamstress, Dabbles in Homemade Crafts and Landscaping. Since her Father was a Health Teacher, she also likes homeopathic Health Solutions. Since blogging started over 10 years ago, PanoramaNow has been added to Newsbreak – a national news affiliate.