Waukegan Air Show takes off Saturday

Attractions such as a wing walker and the Sky Knights parachute team will be part of Saturday's Waukegan Air Show.

Free airplane rides for visitors 8 to 17 years old on a first-come, first-served basis will be offered starting at 8:30 a.m. for the event at Waukegan Regional Airport, at Green Bay and Yorkhouse roads.

At least 20,000 spectators are expected, according to organizers. Air show acts are slated to run from 12:30 to 4 p.m.

One of the acts sure to thrill the crowd will be wing walker Tony Kazian, who learned the trade from his father. He works the wings of a Super Stearman biplane without any parachute or safety cable.

Several other performers are on the schedule, including the Sky Knights parachute team, the classic Canadian Super Chipmunk flown by Jim "Fang" Maroney and a jet-powered school bus.

Food and drink will be available on the grounds. However, alcoholic beverages cannot be brought inside and they will not be sold on the Waukegan Regional Airport grounds.

Officials said about $18,000 in net proceeds from last year's air show were donated to the Navy League's Lake County affiliate.

<p class="factboxheadblack">Waukegan Air Show</p>

<p class="News"><b>Where:</b> Waukegan Regional Airport near Green Bay and Yorkhouse roads</p>

<p class="News"><b>Cost:</b> Adult tickets are $10 at gate, $5 in advance. Children 12 and younger are free. Parking also is free.</p>

<p class="News"><b>Time:</b> Gates open about 9 a.m. Show runs from 12:30 to 4 p.m.</p>

<p class="News"><b>More info:</b> Call (847) 244-0055 or check <a href="http://waukeganairshow.com" target="new">waukeganairshow.com</a>.</p>