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Chicago's Air and Water Show is one of the longest running spectator events in the country. This summer the event will return for its 50th year and to celebrate the city is adding an extra day of festivities. At 3pm on Friday, August 15th the Air Show will officially kick off with performances from the U.S. Navy Blue Angels and the U.S. Army Golden Knights.
After the performances there will be a free concert at the North Avenue Beach Boat House followed by a fireworks display at 9pm. The talent for the concert has yet to be announced. The show will continue as usual on Saturday and Sunday. The 2008 line-up is still being determined but will include military and civilian acts. Civilian teams expected to perform include Lima Lima Flight Team, Aeroshell Aerobatic Team and Sean Tucker flying with Team Oracle.
We know our readers are divided on the virtues of the Chicago Air & Water Show, and many are likely to complain about this extension. But the way we look at it this extra day just makes up for the Sunday show last year being canceled midway through due to rain.
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YEAH!!!!!!!!!! I can't wait!!
Semper Fi
oh, come ON! Is another day of this stupid show necessary?!
If they're going through all the trouble of adding another day, then I'd at least like to see them totally blow up some shit. I for one am sick and tired of my tax dollars being used to destroy targets overseas...
I vote for a Lee Greenwood/Dennis Madalone double bill on Friday night.
Heyyyyyy I’m Toad and being from the West burbs, living in Lincoln Park and being a group agency interactive accounts executive,
I can tell you that hands down Chicago’s, yes, Chicago’s Air and Water Show is one of the longest running spectator events in the whole freak’n United States Dude! Yea all fifty states. And I can slam a whole can of budlite against my head and drink all the beer with out missing a drop!. Chhhhyeaaa!
p.s.
so as not to jeopardize my hard up coming hard fought appointment to the Chicagoist Position of "Most Inspiring, Celebrated and Thoughtful Commentator of the Month", I want to add what you of course already know, just so Margaret will not have any excuse to continue to block the doors of Justice for your Spook....... Let the record state, Toad is a purley fictional character. Any similarities between names, characters, persons living and or dead and or institutions is purely unintended and is purely coincidental.
Wait, they already do a full run-through on the Friday before that includes the Blue Angels/Thunderbirds, so will they also be practicing on the Thursday or is the city just "rebranding" the dress rehersal as the beginning of the Air Show?
According to the city some of the jet teams will do spot checks on Thursday in addition to Friday.
Its like Nascar boring until theres a wreck and then exciting as hell for a minute or two.
Benjy, you asked exactly the same questions I was going to ask.
todd, where did you get that info?
I'm just glade Shell Oil is sponsoring this whole shabang ga bang, as the patriotic thing to do. After raking in all those inflated profits, not to mention on that very day from the thousands of good citizens from Indiana and Iowa who are gonna drive on up to get themselves some big city "culture" side by side the low income folks from Metro Chicago with out benefit of a empowering education and
Lincoln Park Red Eye readers who enjoy this show of military steroid flexing in the air. Well I guess its good its working some where as it sure aint working in Iraq or Afganistane
The information I received and my follow-up question about the Thursday practice flights came from the Mayor's Office of Events.
The Air Show is lame and has been for years.
Advertised aircraft that don't show up for "overseas reasons" and the lack of depth are discouraging.
It's an AIR show- where are the 747's, rare civilian models and the occasional foreign contingent?
Same tired routine every year, Herb screams and yells about biplane, Illinois ANG, Naperville Geezers Flying Club, and the same-old trick from the chutes.
Then there's the WATER show...what water show? Frickin jet ski's??
Why don't military watercraft make an appearance?
Frigates? Cruisers? SEAL attack boats even? We need more than just the coast guard. Park 'em all at Navy Pier for the weekend too and conduct onboard tours!
yawn.
Cities have to have festivals like this to bring people into the city. It helps provide jobs, tax revenue, and promotes the city. If you don't like it, don't go. It is pretty boring.
Before you bash this as another military commerical, remember that pretty much any kid who can go straight to college after high school will do so. However, the military can provide people who don't have that as an option a way to learn some skills and become a more productive member of society. The military will pay nearly 100% of higher education costs for its members, and that is not a bad thing.