Chicago Air & Water Show

Last updated
Chicago Air & Water Show
Chicago Air & Water Show.jpg
Military aircraft perform over Lake Michigan
Genre Air show
Datesevery August
FrequencyAnnually
Location(s) Chicago, Illinois
Country United States
Established1959
Organized byDepartment of Cultural Affairs and Special Events

The Chicago Air & Water Show is an annual air show held on the shore of Lake Michigan in Chicago, Illinois. Chicago's second most popular festival, it has been held every year since 1959. [1] In 2005 it was attended by 2,200,000 people. Presented by the City of Chicago, it is the largest free show of its kind in the United States. [2]

Contents

Attractions

The Blue Angels fly over the city in 2019 The U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, diamond pilots fly over Chicago during the 2019 Chicago Air and Water Show. (48599021741).jpg
The Blue Angels fly over the city in 2019

The air show is a free event showcasing daredevil pilots, parachute teams, and formation jet flyers, as well as water-skiing and boat-jumping demonstrations. With its proximity to city beaches and skyline, the show is visible from almost anywhere along the Chicago lakefront. Grandstand seats for the water show are at North Avenue Beach. WBBM AM (780) broadcasts both days of the event every year.

The show features both civilian and military pilots, and flight teams have been sponsored by companies including Oracle and Red Bull. Many of its performers use Chicago's third airport, the Gary/Chicago International Airport in nearby Gary, Indiana, for ground support. The U.S. Army Golden Knights have participated each year for the last several years, and the U.S. Navy Blue Angels and U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds alternate annually as headliners.

History

Spectators of the Chicago Air & Water Show from North Avenue Beach. Chicago Air & Water Show from North Avenue Beach.jpg
Spectators of the Chicago Air & Water Show from North Avenue Beach.

The show was first held in 1959 as the Lakeshore Park Air & Water Show, on a budget of $88. It featured a Coast Guard Air Sea Rescue demonstration, water skiers, a water ballet, games and a diving competition. The following year, the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and Golden Knights Parachute Team were added. [3]

Since 1989, the introduction of corporate sponsorship by Mickey Markoff has underwritten the show's production costs. [4] It has been managed by the Mayor's Office of Special Events since 1994. [3]

In 2020 the show was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

50th Anniversary Show (2008)

In 2008, the 50th show was extended from two to three days. On Friday, typically an unofficial preview and rehearsal day, became a part of the scheduled performances. Actress Florence Henderson opened the airshow by singing the American national anthem. The show featured Chicago theater alumnus Bill Murray, who parachuted into the event with the Golden Knights to promote the United Service Organization; and Gary Sinise performed a live concert with his Lt. Dan Band. The concert concluded with a B-1 bomber fly-by and fireworks. Several freestyle jet skiers also competed. LXF Pro Tour champion Gary Burtka lead Team Twangled teammates Greg Brock, Mike Hoffman and Michael Niksic. The Mayor's Office of Special Events estimated that the show drew a record crowd of about 3.1 million. [5]

Safety Precautions

Aircraft take off and land at Gary/Chicago International Airport in Gary, Indiana. All pilots perform stunts over the water in a set area known as a "safety box". This area extends from the lakefront shoreline out to a section on Lake Michigan where recreational boats and kayakers line up for an alternate vantage point.

Organizers work closely with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and city departments on safety procedures. Each day, before flying, all pilots and air personnel must attend morning meetings to receive weather and safety updates. Additionally, the event employs its own air traffic controller who oversees the downtown airspace during show hours.

In 2005, the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds ended their demonstration halfway through their routine. During a diamond formation slow-roll pass, the tip of the missile rail on the right wing of the slot (#4) aircraft contacted the left stabilator of the right (#3) aircraft. A four-foot section of the missile rail snapped off, while the #3 aircraft sustained damage described by one of the Thunderbirds pilots as a "medium deep scratch" to the red paint of the stabilator. Amateur video later broadcast on local television news programs showed the missile rail falling into the safety box. No injuries were sustained, but the demonstration was immediately terminated and all aircraft returned to Gary International Airport. The Thunderbirds did not return for the second day's demonstration.

Regarding the audience, people are allowed to bring picnic blankets, chairs and coolers, and are not allowed to take grills, fireworks, alcohol, tents, balloons, weapons, kites, flagpoles, and pets (service animals are an exception) to the watching area. [6]

Criticism

In 2013, Chicago Reader described the show's accompanying noise as a "horrible buzzing" and that it was "back to annoy you for another year." [7]

Colin McMahon wrote in The Chicago Tribune that the "anachronistic" and "perverse" show's "cheap thrills" should be retired. [8]

2015 accident

'Statement Regarding Master Sgt. Corey Hood' video from U.S. Army Parachute Team, the Golden Knights

On August 16, 2015, an Army parachutist died from injuries suffered after colliding with another parachutist during the 2015 Air and Water Show, on Saturday, August 15, 2015. The death of Master Sergeant Corey Hood has strengthened calls to discontinue the show, which positions jets and parachuting daredevils within hundreds of feet of dozens of buildings, as well as pedestrians, all up and down Lake Michigan. [9]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Air show</span> Public event where aircraft are exhibited

An air show is a public event where aircraft are exhibited. They often include aerobatics demonstrations, without they are called "static air shows" with aircraft parked on the ground.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blue Angels</span> United States Navys flight demonstration squadron

The Blue Angels, formally named the U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, are a flight demonstration squadron of the United States Navy. Formed in 1946, the unit is the second oldest formal aerobatic team in the world, after the French Patrouille de France formed in 1931. The team, composed of six Navy and one Marine Corps demonstration pilot, fly Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornets.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United States Air Force Thunderbirds</span> Air demonstration squadron of the United States Air Force

The USAF Air Demonstration Squadron ("Thunderbirds") is the air demonstration squadron of the United States Air Force (USAF). The Thunderbirds are assigned to the 57th Wing, and are based at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. Created 70 years ago in 1953, the USAF Thunderbirds are the third-oldest formal flying aerobatic team in the world, after the French Air Force Patrouille de France formed in 1931 and the United States Navy Blue Angels formed in 1946.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marine Corps Air Station El Toro</span> Airport in Orange County, California

Marine Corps Air Station El Toro was a United States Marine Corps Air Station located next to the community of El Toro, near Irvine, California.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Canadian International Air Show</span> Aviation event

The Canadian International Air Show (CIAS) is an annual air show in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The show is an aeronautical display of military, government and civilian aircraft, primarily from Canada and the United States. The show takes place along Toronto's waterfront for three days during the Canadian Labour Day weekend. The show began in 1946 and has been held at Exhibition Place since 1949.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Abbotsford International Airshow</span>

The Abbotsford International Airshow is held annually on the second Friday, Saturday and Sunday in August at Abbotsford International Airport in Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MAKS (air show)</span> Russian annual international airshow

MAKS is an international air show held at Zhukovsky International Airport, the home of the Gromov Flight Research Institute in Zhukovsky, 40 km (25 mi) southeast of Moscow, Russia. The event was organized by the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade until 2009, more recently by the Government of Moscow and Aviasalon. The first show, Mosaeroshow-92, was held in 1992. Since 1993, the air show was renamed as MAKS and is held biennially on odd years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cleveland Burke Lakefront Airport</span> Airport in Downtown Cleveland, United States of America

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United States Army Parachute Team</span> Demonstration and competition parachute team

The United States Army Parachute Team, nicknamed the Golden Knights, is a demonstration and competition parachute team of the United States Army. It consists of demonstration and competition parachutist teams, drawn from all branches of the U.S. Army. Members must demonstrate excellence in parachuting.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Milwaukee Air and Water Show</span> Air show

The Milwaukee Air & Water Show is an air show held on the shores of Lake Michigan in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in the United States. It is billed as "the largest two-day event in Wisconsin", with an attendance of almost 1,000,000 people in 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thunder over the Boardwalk</span> Annual airshow held in Atlantic City, United States

Thunder Over the Boardwalk is an annual airshow held over the Atlantic City boardwalk every summer. Since 2003, it has set the bar for beachfront airshows across the United States and is currently one of the largest airshows in North America. What sets it apart, aside from being a beach show, is the fact that it usually occurs on a Wednesday. It takes place along the beaches of Atlantic City, New Jersey, in front of the world-famous boardwalk, with the casinos in the background. Flybys and demonstrations as high as 15,000 feet (4,600 m) and as low as 50 feet (15 m) over the water in front of the Atlantic City skyline.

The Oregon International Air Show - formerly the "Portland Rose Festival Air Show" - is an annual event held in Oregon, United States. The event began in 1988, and has an average annual attendance of 55,000. Profits from the show are distributed to local charities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sean D. Tucker</span> American aerobatic pilot (born 1952)

Sean Doherty Tucker is an American world champion aerobatic aviator. He was previously sponsored by the Oracle Corporation for many years, performing in air shows worldwide as "Team Oracle". Tucker has won numerous air show championship competitions throughout his career, was named one of the 25 "Living Legends of Flight" by the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum in 2003, and was inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame in 2008. He has led several efforts to assist youth in learning to fly or becoming involved in general aviation, and currently serves as co-chairman of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA)'s Young Eagles program, a role he has held since 2013.

The Rockford Airfest was a two-day air show that happened every year at Chicago Rockford International Airport located in Rockford, Illinois, USA. Approximately 130,000 people attended the 2012 event.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cleveland National Air Show</span> Annual air show

The Cleveland National Air Show is an annual air show held on Labor Day weekend at Burke Lakefront Airport in Cleveland, Ohio. It was established in 1964 as an indirect successor to the National Air Races. The show includes stunt airplanes, modern fighters and alternates between the U.S. Navy Blue Angels and U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds every other year. The show typically runs from 9:00 a.m. to around 4:30 p.m. EDT. The show usually starts with smaller acts, and the Blue Angels or Thunderbirds perform last. Another regular attraction is the NASA Glenn Research Center, which usually has an exhibit located near the back of the show. There is usually some type of heritage or legacy flight, sometimes both.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Quad City Air Show</span>

The Quad City Airshow is an annual event at the Davenport Municipal Airport in Davenport, Iowa and is the largest airshow in the state of Iowa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Fire and Rescue Department</span>

The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Fire & Rescue Department is a special service fire department responsible for Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and Washington Dulles International Airport in the Washington metropolitan area. The department was formed from the Federal Aviation Administration's Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Branch when the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority was established in June 1987. Prior to that time, both airports were owned and operated by the FAA.

References

  1. "Chicago's Largest Festivals". ChicagoBusiness. Crain Communications, Inc. 2008. Archived from the original on 2010-06-19. Retrieved 2009-07-24.
  2. "Chicago Air and Water Show" . Retrieved 2018-07-09.
  3. 1 2 "History of the Chicago Air & Water Show" . Retrieved 2016-08-19.
  4. McCracken, David. "SHAKING UP THE `AIR` SHOW". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 2021-09-17.
  5. "Chicago Air & Water Show: Bill Murray Has Landed". CBS News. 2008-08-15. Archived from the original on November 23, 2008. Retrieved 2010-09-03.
  6. "Chicago Air and Water Show 2017 guide: What to know if you go" . Retrieved 2018-07-10.
  7. "Reader's Review of the Air and Water Show" . Retrieved 2013-08-17.
  8. "Chicago Tribune's perspective on the event" . Retrieved 2014-08-14.
  9. "Army skydiver dies after airshow accident" . Retrieved 2013-08-17.