Racing across the lakefront sky for the Chicago Air and Water Show this year are the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, which alternate with the Blue Angels, and an appearance by the F-35, the military’s super-advanced new fighter jet. Recently retired Chicago Bears favorite Charles Tillman will be jumping with the U.S. Army Golden Knights. Other performers include Sean D. Tucker and Team Oracle and the Chicago Fire Department’s fireboat. The show takes place along the lakefront Saturday and Sunday this weekend — warmups are Friday. Headed downtown or somewhere else to watch? Here is your guide to the event, the performers, food, transportation and more.
Table of contents
- When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 20, and Sunday, Aug 21
- Where: North Avenue Beach
- Admission: Free
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Divvy bikes: Divvy will be offering its valet service at select stations Saturday and Sunday to guarantee you a spot to dock your Divvy bike. More information here.
Divvy stations offering service: Theater on the Lake at Fullerton Avenue and Lake Shore Drive (10 a.m. – 6 p.m.); Clark Street and North Avenue (10 a.m. – 6 p.m.); Michigan Avenue and Oak Street (10 a.m. – 6 p.m.); Streeter Drive and Illinois Street (noon – 6 p.m.). - Parking: Millennium Garages, with a free shuttle to and from North Avenue Beach; $35 for the day. Go to millenniumgarages.com.
- Added public transit service: On Saturday and Sunday, longer trains will be operating on the Blue, Brown, Orange and Green lines from about 7 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. Extra service will be provided on the #72 North and #151 Sheridan bus routes as well. <!– A timetable of added service can be found here. –>
- Saturday: Mostly cloudy with showers and thunderstorms:Mostly cloudy and muggy in the morning, with thunderstorms likely as a cold front approaches. Storm threat ends as drier air arrives in the afternoon. Southwest winds 1-20 mph shift to northwest.
- Sunday: Mostly sunny: Northwest winds to 20 mph sweep cooler, less humid air into the area. Sun mixes with scattered clouds midday. Temperatures hover in the upper 70s much of the day. Fair, cool at night.
- Updated forecast here.
- Announcer: Herb Hunter is the show’s longtime announcer; he is a member of the Illinois Air National Guard and was a Boeing 747 pilot for a major airline.
- Prime locations: The lakefront from North Avenue to Navy Pier. North Avenue Beach is air show central. The pedestrian access points at Lake Shore Drive, the parks and playing fields are great vantage points and are less crowded.
- Takeoff: Spectators can watch the planes take off and land at the Gary Jet Center, 5401 Airport Road, Gary.
- Lake cruises: The Odyssey, Spirit of Chicago and Mystic Blue will have morning and afternoon cruises (tickets are $53 and more). The Seadog runs its regular schedule. Contact 866-391-8439 and entertainmentcruises.com/Chicago.
- Radio, TV and Live coverage: Play-by-play radio coverages on WBBM-AM 780 and FM 105.9 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Live video coverage at airandwater.cbslocal.com. WLS-Ch. 7 will air a half-hour special at 11 p.m. Sunday, with an encore presentation at 4:30 p.m. Aug. 28.
- On the web: The city’s web page for the air show is here.
- Viewing parties: 8 restaurants and bars offering drink and food specials. Check out the list.
- Vendors: There will be food and beverage vendors along the lakefront. Food offerings include hot dogs, hamburgers, chips, nachos, ice cream, water and soft drinks.
- Allowed to bring: Picnic blankets, chairs and coolers. Must walk bicycles.
- Encouraged: Sunscreen, sunglasses, water, earplugs and binoculars.
- Not allowed: Alcohol, grills, fireworks, tents, balloons, kites, flagpoles and pets (except service animals).
F-35
- The F-35 is the military’s most advanced fighter jet and is planned to replace aging F-16s and A-10s. The aircraft has an array of sensors and technology with information on weapons and surroundings displayed in the pilot’s visor. The F-35 is making the air show circuit with a selection of historic Air Force planes.
Air Force Thunderbirds
- The flying unit, officially known as the Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, is made up of over 120 personnel.
F-16 Fighting Falcon
- More than 4,500 of these fighter planes have been built since 1976. It has evolved into a flexible aircraft usable in all weather in many military situations.
F/A-18E Super Hornet
- A more advanced version of the Blue Angels jet.
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Military parachute teams
- The Army Golden Knights and the Navy Leap Frogs will jump from 12,500 feet. Former Bear Charles Tillman jumps with the Knights on Saturday.
Coast Guard
- An MH-65D Dolphin Helicopter will demonstrate an air-sea rescue. A rescue swimmer jumps from 30 feet into the lake to recover a simulated casualty, who is hoisted back to safety.
- HC-144A Ocean Sentry: Used in many situations including disaster response, and search and rescue missions.
C-130 Hercules
- Has been used by the Air Force for over 50 years.
P-51 Mustang
- A single-seat fighter used in conflicts including World War II and the Korean War.
AeroShell Aerobatic Team
- This six-man stunt team has been performing for more than 25 years. The AT6 Texan is nicknamed the “pilot-maker” because of the plane’s role in training military pilots dating to World War II.
Aerostars
- This three-plane team employs Yak 52TWs and is known for flying in tight formation and upside down.
Sean D. Tucker and Team Oracle
- Tucker has been flying since the 1970s, with more than 1,000 performances at more than 400 shows. He flies the custom Oracle Challenger III, built with a metal-tube frame and skin made of special fabric. The fuel-injected engine has aluminum drag-racing pistons, and the wings hold smoke generators, pyrotechnics and cameras.
A-4 Skyhawk
- This Warbird Heritage Museum Foundation performer is the type of jet that carried out some of the first airstrikes of the Vietnam War.
The Firebirds Delta Team
- Known for tumbling and head-on maneuvers.
Bill Stein Airshows
- An air show veteran, Stein’s Edge 540 has custom color-changing paint.
Matt Chapman Airshows
- Air show veteran who performs solo and flies formation with fellow performer Mike Mancuso.
Susan Dacy
- Dacy is one of the few women performing airshows in a biplane. She’s a Chicago-based international captain and has flown more than 60 types of aircraft.
Chicago Fire Department air/sea rescue
- The rescue unit, established in 1965, serves 37 miles of lakefront and rivers. The unit uses two Bell 412 EP helicopters and rescue boats.
Photos from baiduhai, Getty, AP, Gary Post Tribune, Chicago Air and Water Show and performers’ websites.
Note: The list of performers is subject to change. According to organizers, the pilots decide the chronology on the day of the show. The Thunderbird headliners generally go last.
Sources: Chicago Air and Water Show, performers websites and Tribune reporting.
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