Chicago Air & Water Show: A surefire summer spectacle
Summer 2009 marks the 51st annual Chicago Air & Water Show, the largest spectator event in the country. On Summer 2009 marks the 51st annual Chicago Air & Water Show, the largest spectator event in the country. On August 15 and 16, more than 2 million people will flock to downtown’s North Avenue Beach to catch a glimpse of some truly awe inspiring air and water acrobatics.
Originally begun in 1959 as part of the local “Family Day Celebration,” the original show featured a Coast Guard Air Sea Rescue demonstration, water skiers and a diving competition, and was budgeted at just $88. The next year, the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and Golden Knights Parachute Team wowed huge crowds, and the event has become a Chicago summer staple ever since.
Due to large production costs, the Air & Water Show now has corporate sponsors like Shell, allowing visitors to view the event free of charge. This year’s impressive line-up of performers includes the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, an elite cadre of American pilots flying F16 Fighting Falcons.
The U.S. Army Parachute Team Golden Knights will jump out of a plane 12,500 feet overhead, plummeting towards the ground at 120 mph. The Aeroshell Aerobatic Team includes four pilots flying formation aerobatics in WWII North American Advanced Trainers, and the Lima Flight Team uses six T-34 Mentor planes for precision formation flying.
The Red Bull MiG –MiG Magic, Inc.’s Bill Reesman flies the MiG-17F up to 600 miles per hour in his dazzling 12 minute show. The plane, originally built and used in Poland during the Cold War, can pull up to 8-Gs of force.
Finally, the U.S. Navy Leap Frog Parachute Team will wow the crowd with its 15-man U.S. Navy SEAL and SWCC commando team. Jumping from a plane high overhead, the Leap Frogs perform complex formations before landing safely back on land.
Visitors of all ages will thrill in the aerial acrobatics set against the beautiful downtown Chicago skyline. With so many amazing events planned for the two day celebration -and a price tag of absolutely free - the Chicago Air & Water Show is a surefire summer event winner.
Posted on May 13, 2011 by D.J. Siegel
