As the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds roared across the cloudy sky Sunday, the Alaniz family watched from atop a nearby hill.
Longtime fans of Chicago’s Air and Water Show, they said they usually arrive at 7 a.m. to secure a good spot. This year, though, they slept in and aimed for 10 a.m. instead.
“We’ve been coming here since our kids were babies,” Leigh Ann Alaniz, 57, said.
Along with chairs and camping gear, Alaniz brought a sign with a picture of her son Carmello, who is currently serving in the Air Force in Japan.
“Coming here inspired him,” Anthony Alaniz, 59, said.
Under tents by the lakefront, military recruiters manned tables and challenged passers-by to test their strength on pull-up bars and with weights. Vendors pushed ice cream carts and sold food at kiosks and stands scattered near the beach.
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The event drew some protesters, including a group of veterans who distributed pamphlets and carried anti-war signs. One group, carrying Palestinian flags and a giant Uncle Sam puppet dubbed “the War Machine,” led chants as they walked by.
“We just want to bring awareness to the military industrial complex and what it’s costing Americans,” John Cerrone, a 35-year-old veteran and Bucktown resident said.
The two-day spectacle, which organizers call the largest free show of its kind in the country, draws a crowd of more than 1 million people to the city’s lakefront beaches every year.
This year’s showcase included demonstrations from the U.S. Army Parachute Team, nicknamed the Golden Knights, and the Thunderbirds. A lineup of military and civilian performers from the Coast Guard, the Chicago Police Department, the Chicago Fire Department and more also took to the skies.
Both Saturday and Sunday saw late starts, with performances pushed back by several hours due to low-lying clouds and rainy conditions. Spectators arrived early despite the delays, turning Lincoln Park’s North Avenue Beach into a colorful patchwork of towels and umbrellas by mid-morning.
As usual, the showcase also attracted hordes of photographers and aviation enthusiasts, toting heavy cases of gear and ultra-zoom cameras.
Razeth Magnuson, 24, brought a towering tripod, standing at more than 5 1/2 feet tall. Although he’s attended the Air and Water Show once before, he said this was his first time watching from behind a lens.
“It’s something to do while you’re enjoying the show,” the Galewood resident said.
Meanwhile, Carl Robinson, 41, from Humboldt Park, said he’s attended “too many to count.” This year, he said he was eager to see the Thunderbirds and had even worn a hat and T-shirt emblazoned with the squadron’s name.
Although the Thunderbirds usually alternate years with the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, a scheduling conflict brought them back to the Air & Water Show for a second consecutive year.
For Don Petersen, 45, who has been photographing air shows for years, one of the things that sets the event apart is its accessibility.
“I’ve been to quite a few air shows that aren’t free, and it can get quite expensive,” he said.
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The Hebron resident said he’s been to similar showcases across the country, including the famous Oshkosh Air Show in Wisconsin.
Aidan Baros, a 21-year-old Illinois Institute of Technology student, came early to claim a good vantage point. Last year, he said he managed to catch photos of the jets’ return paths from the window of his apartment. This time, he said he was excited to see the planes in person.
“I’m hoping to get something interesting,” he said.