Chicago Air & Water Show
chicago air water show annual air show held since shore lake michigan chicago largest free show kind united state recently held august air show free event showcasing daredevil pilot parachute team formation jet flyer well waterskiing boatjumping demonstration proximity city beach skyline show visible almost anywhere along chicago lakefront show feature civilian military pilot flight team sponsored company including oracle red bull u army golden knight participated frequently u navy blue angel u air force thunderbird alternate annually headliner show first held lakeshore park air water show budget featured coast guard air sea rescue demonstration water skier water ballet game diving competition following year u air force thunderbird golden knight parachute team added since introduction corporate sponsorship mickey markoff underwritten show production cost managed mayor office special event since show canceled due covid pandemic th show extended two three day friday typically unofficial preview rehearsal day became part scheduled performance actress florence henderson opened airshow singing american national anthem show featured chicago theater alumnus bill murray parachuted event golden knight promote united service organization gary sinise performed live concert lt dan band concert concluded b bomber flyby firework several freestyle jet skier also competed lxf pro tour champion gary burtka lead team twangled teammate greg brock mike hoffman michael niksic mayor office special event estimated show drew record crowd million aircraft take land garychicago international airport gary indiana pilot perform stunt water set area known safety box area extends lakefront shoreline section lake michigan recreational boat kayakers line alternate vantage point organizer work closely federal aviation administration faa city department safety procedure day flying pilot air personnel must attend morning meeting receive weather safety update additionally event employ air traffic controller oversees downtown airspace show hour many performer use gary airport gary indiana ground support u air force thunderbird ended demonstration halfway routine diamond formation slowroll pas tip missile rail right wing slot aircraft contacted left stabilator right aircraft fourfoot section missile rail snapped aircraft sustained damage described one thunderbird pilot medium deep scratch red paint stabilator amateur video later broadcast local television news program showed missile rail falling safety box injury sustained demonstration immediately terminated aircraft returned gary international airport thunderbird return second day demonstration regarding audience people allowed bring picnic blanket chair cooler allowed take grill firework alcohol tent balloon weapon kite flagpole pet service animal exception watching area chicago reader described show accompanying noise horrible buzzing back annoy another year colin mcmahon wrote chicago tribune anachronistic perverse show cheap thrill retired august army parachutist died injury suffered colliding another parachutist air water show saturday august death master sergeant corey hood strengthened call discontinue show position jet parachuting daredevil within hundred foot dozen building well pedestrian lake michigan milwaukee air water show list air show official website