The Chicago Air and Water Show rivals only Taste of Chicago as one of the biggest events of the summer. The oldest and largest show of its kind in the country, the show will feature these performers:
- U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds
- AeroShell Aerobatic Team
- Chicago Fire Department Air and Sea Rescue Team
- Lima Lima Flight Team
- The Firebirds ("extreme" style flying)
- U.S. Navy Leap Frogs Parachute Team
- Sean Tucker & Team Oracle
- Ed Hamill and his Air Force Reserve Bi-Plane
- Red Bull MiG
- U.S. Army Parachute Team Golden Knights
NOTE: While the same acts should perform each day, because of variations in logistics and flight conditions there is no set schedule -- times are determined by the pilots on the day of the event. Generally headliners (which this year are the Thunderbirds, Leap Frogs, and Golden Knights) go last.
On the water side of the event, the Shell Extreme Water Show entertains the crowd with some of the world's finest wave riders cruising along the waves of Lake Michigan.
As one reader reminded me, the day before the show starts is "practice day" so if you're downtown on Friday and hear jets roaring overhead we're not being invaded -- head over to the lakefront to see some of the action while avoiding the crowds.
