Region Air show lovers can brace themselves for the Danger Zone this summer: The Thunderbirds are coming back to Gary.
The South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority at its December 12 meeting announced it signed the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds to perform at the Gary Air Show. The event has been set for August 9-10 at Marquette Park in Gary’s Miller section, according to the SSCVA website.
The Gary Air Show came back to Northwest Indiana in 2023 — with the SSCVA as its sponsor — after a seven-year hiatus for various reasons, including the COVID-19 pandemic and financial challenges, the Post-Tribune previously reported. Launched in 2000 by former Gary Mayor Scott King, the City of Gary took over the airshow operations from SSCVA in 2015 after SSCVA had started sponsoring it in 2006 because of the city’s financial woes.
Back then, officials estimated it cost about $350,000 for the two-day show, which drew thousands to the lakefront. The city offset some of that cost in 2015 when it started charging $30, $20 and $10 for parking, the Post-Tribune reported.
SSCVA President Phil Taillon didn’t return a request for comment by press time.
In other business, SSCVA Board member Matt Schuffert asked whether the board would consider increasing the board contract and purchase oversight limit to $25,000 from its current $10,000. Board Chairman Andy Qunell nixed the idea.
“Prior to this board, the administration divided a contract into two contracts so we wouldn’t see it,” Qunell said. “Let’s keep it this way for another year or two.”
Former SSCVA President and CEO David Uran resigned in December 2023, ending his 19-month tenure at the head of the agency, the Post-Tribune previously reported. His resignation came in the wake of an executive session where information about alleged misconduct was listed as the reason.
Uran said at the time that the resignation and the executive session were unrelated.
The board also voted unanimously to keep intact the current SSCVA Executive Board of Chairman Qunell, Vice Chairman Brent Brashier, Secretary Chareice White and Treasurer Matt Maloney.
Michelle L. Quinn is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
