CHICAGO (WLS) — The Chicago Air and Water Show returns to town this weekend.
ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch
The event began in 1959 and is one of the largest free events of its kind. Over a million spectators come to see the show each year.
ABC7 has flown with the artists at the Chicago Air & Water Show over the years.
Herb Hunter, the “Voice of the Air and Water Show” for 36 years, will provide commentary on the aerial choreography throughout the weekend.
ABC7’s Christian Piekos jumps with the U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Team before the Chicago Air and Water Show.
Here’s what you need to know before you leave.
LOCATION, ENTRANCE, TRANSPORT
WHEN: The Chicago Air and Water Show will be held on Saturday, August 10th and Sunday, August 11th from 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the lakefront.
PERMIT: Free
How to watch: The show can be viewed along the lakefront from Fullerton to Oak Street, with North Avenue Beach as the centerpiece.
ACCESSIBILITY: Audio description for the visually impaired and blind will be available both days via a Zoom dial-in number. Description will be available from 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. both days. To join the Zoom meeting, follow this link and enter meeting ID 825 9811 3869. For more information, contact the City of Chicago here.
PARK: There is no public parking on the beach during the weekend of the Chicago Air and Water Show. Millennium Garages offers discounted parking rates with advance reservations and a free shuttle from Garage 6 South Columbus Drive between Randolph and Monroe starting at 9am on Level 2.5. For more information on Millennium Garages’ parking options, click here.
HOW TO GET THERE: The city recommends using the CTA to attend the air and water show. You can use the CTA Trip Planner to find your best route. The CTA 72 bus, which normally stops at North Avenue Beach, will be rerouted and will only go as far as North and Clark.
Additional bus service is available on the 72 North Avenue and 151 Sheridan bus routes. The 145 Wilson/Michigan Express, 146 Inner Drive/Michigan Express and 147 Outer Drive buses also stop near the activities. You can also take the 22 Clark or 36 Broadway buses to North and Clark, just a short walk from North Avenue Beach.
If you are arriving by car or rideshare, pickup and drop-off will be on North Avenue north to DuSable Lake Shore Drive. Use of North LaSalle is subject to the discretion of emergency management. All pickup and drop-off services may be suspended due to crowds. If you are arriving by car or rideshare, the City recommends getting dropped off outside of the event and walking there.
The city recommends that participants arrive early and stay until the end of the event in case they need to be picked up and dropped off.
CAN I WATCH FROM THE WATER? Boaters can watch the show from Lake Michigan, in the playpen or out on the lake, as long as they stay out of the show’s restricted area, which is marked off by orange “No Trespassing” buoys and patrolled by the Coast Guard, CPD and CFD.
FULL LIST OF ARTISTS
This year’s headliners include the legendary Blue Angels of the US Navy and the Golden Knights parachute team of the US Army.
Stunt pilot RJ Gritter will make his debut at the show aboard his acrobatic Decathlon 150 CS.
Trojan Phlyers will be aboard their historic North American Aviation Company T-28B aircraft.
Military artists featured include:
-Blue Angels of the US Navy fly F/A-18 Hornets.
– US Navy F-35C
-US Marine Corps F-35B
– C-17 of the US Air Force
-US Air Force KC-135
-US Air Force KC-46 Pegasus
– B-1B of the US Air Force
– US Army Golden Knights Parachute Team
-US Army AH-64
– US Air Force/Maryland Air National Guard A-10
-US Coast Guard MH-65 dolphin search & Rescue (SAR)
Civilian stuntmen include:
-RJ Gritter Decathlon Aerobatic
-Trojan Phlyers – T-28 (2 ships)
-Bill Stein Edge 540
-Kevin Coleman, Red Bull aerobatic pilot
-Susan Dacy – Big red Stearman biplane
-Ed “Hamster” Hamill – Folds of Honor Biplane
WHAT SHOULD I BRING?
FOOD AND DRINK: There are food stalls all along the lakeshore.
Participants are welcome to bring their own coolers with water and ice as well as their own food and drinks. Bags and coolers may be searched.
EQUIPMENT: Restrooms are available at the North Avenue Beach House. There are also portable toilets throughout the beach area.
There is a first aid tent in the parking lot west of the North Avenue Beach House. There is a tent for lost children in the center of the turning circle on LaSalle Street.
Free cooling stations will be set up at the entrance to North Avenue Beach.
OTHER: Portable radios/listening devices, hats, binoculars, chairs, sunscreen and earplugs are allowed and encouraged. Parents are especially asked to bring sunscreen and earplugs for children.
PROHIBITED ITEMS
Normal beach safety rules apply during the Chicago Air and Water Show. Therefore, the following items are prohibited:
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