The show is an annual air show held on the shore of Lake Michigan. The show has been held each year since 1959 and is Chicago's second most popular festival. Almost 2 million attended the show this year in spite of rain on Saturday.
The air show is a free event that showcases daredevil pilots, parachute teams, and jets flying in formation, as well as a water-skiing and boat-jumping component. Because of its proximity to city beaches and skyline, the demonstrations are visible from almost everywhere along the Chicago lakefront. Grandstand seats for the water show are located at North Avenue Beach.
The air show features both civilian and military pilots. Flying teams have been sponsored by companies including Oracle and Red Bull. Many of the Air Show performers utilize Chicago's third airport, the Gary/Chicago International Airport in nearby Gary, Indiana, for ground support. The U.S. Army Golden Knights have participated each year for several years running. The U.S. Navy Blue Angels and U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds alternate annually as headliners.
You need your head on a swivel to watch the Thunderbirds or Blue Angels perform as they dart about the skyscrapers as the rejoin their formations after passing over the show center. VAVAV00M!
Although the most unobstructed view is from a boat on Lake Michigan we watched the show from Alex's rooftop. We hosted a family BBQ and Bubba grilled some dogs and burgers for some excellent show viewing...
HistoryIn 1959 the first show was held under the direction of Al Benedict, a Chicago Park District Supervisor at Lakeshore Park. Held at Chicago Avenue and Lake Michigan, the show was titled the Lakeshore Park Air & Water Show, and was a part of a “Family Day” celebration for children enrolled in the Chicago Park District’s day camp program. The budget was $88, and the show featured a Coast Guard Air Sea Rescue demonstration, water skiers, a water ballet, games and a diving competition.The following year, the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and Golden Knights Parachute Team performed to a huge crowd and the event became a Chicago summer tradition.
Eventually, the show was renamed the Chicago Park District Air & Water Show, expanded to two days, and moved to its current location at North Avenue Beach.
Corporate sponsorship participation was incorporated in 1989, and now provides substantial support for the production costs of the show. The event has been managed by the Mayor’s Office of Special Events since 1994.
Rejoice with your family in the beautiful land of life! ~Albert Einstein
3 for 4-brothers and sisters, 3 of 4 are Chicago lawyers. Oy.
Mitzie enjoys a dog!
Elenor is an excellent big sis.
Kelly changes our swimmer
- Happiness is having a large, loving, caring, close-knit family in another city.
George Burns
- If you don't believe in ghosts, you've never been to a family reunion.
Ashleigh Brilliant
- Families are like fudge - mostly sweet with a few nuts.
Author Unknown
- Like all the best families, we have our share of eccentricities, of impetuous and wayward youngsters and of family disagreements.
Elizabeth II
Bubba and Terrie grill.
Some Air show viewing.
- Having children makes you no more a parent than having a piano makes you a pianist.
Michael Levine
- In some families, 'please' is described as the magic word. In our house, however, it was 'sorry'.
Margaret Laurence
- The reason grandparents and grandchildren get along so well is that they have a common enemy.
Sam Levenson
- Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family: Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one.
Jane Howard
Alex and cousins Hope and STACY-our bride to be in 2 weeks.
Eleanor and Alex mug!
History
In 1959 the first show was held under the direction of Al Benedict, a Chicago Park District Supervisor at Lakeshore Park. Held at Chicago Avenue and Lake Michigan, the show was titled the Lakeshore Park Air & Water Show, and was a part of a “Family Day” celebration for children enrolled in the Chicago Park District’s day camp program. The budget was $88, and the show featured a Coast Guard Air Sea Rescue demonstration, water skiers, a water ballet, games and a diving competition.
The following year, the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and Golden Knights Parachute Team performed to a huge crowd and the event became a Chicago summer tradition.
Eventually, the show was renamed the Chicago Park District Air & Water Show, expanded to two days, and moved to its current location at North Avenue Beach.Corporate sponsorship participation was incorporated in 1989, and now provides substantial support for the production costs of the show. The event has been managed by the Mayor’s Office of Special Events since 1994.
Rejoice with your family in the beautiful land of life! ~Albert Einstein
 |
| 3 for 4-brothers and sisters, 3 of 4 are Chicago lawyers. Oy. |
 |
| Mitzie enjoys a dog! |
 |
| Elenor is an excellent big sis. |
 |
| Kelly changes our swimmer |
- Happiness is having a large, loving, caring, close-knit family in another city.
George Burns
- If you don't believe in ghosts, you've never been to a family reunion.
Ashleigh Brilliant
- Families are like fudge - mostly sweet with a few nuts.
Author Unknown
- Like all the best families, we have our share of eccentricities, of impetuous and wayward youngsters and of family disagreements.
Elizabeth II
 |
| Bubba and Terrie grill. |
 |
| Some Air show viewing. |
- Having children makes you no more a parent than having a piano makes you a pianist.
Michael Levine
- In some families, 'please' is described as the magic word. In our house, however, it was 'sorry'.
Margaret Laurence
- The reason grandparents and grandchildren get along so well is that they have a common enemy.
Sam Levenson
- Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family: Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one.
Jane Howard
 |
| Alex and cousins Hope and STACY-our bride to be in 2 weeks. |
 |
| Eleanor and Alex mug! |
