Air & Water Show Returns

By Benjy Lipsman in Arts & Entertainment on Aug 18, 2011 3:00PM

If you're anywhere near downtown or the near north side this morning, you may already hear the roar of jets as practice flights are underway for the 53rd annual 2011 Chicago Air & Water Show this weekend. About 2 million people are expected at North Ave. Beach to watch the show, which is free to the public and the largest show of its kind.

The Air & Water Show runs from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, with virtually the same show each day. Both days features boat demonstrations, daredevil pilots performing wild stunts and a wide range of historic and current military jets on display. The show highlights include the Oracle stunt bi-plane, U.S. Army Golden Knights parachute team and the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds. Former Chicagoisto Todd McClamroch, who has even had a chance to fly with some of the show's performers, also offers a preview of the weekend's performers.

The air show is certainly not without its controversy. While many enjoy the spectacle, others take issue with the noise, massive crowds, the wasteful fuel consumption and the fact that much of the show is a military recruitment vehicle -- almost a live "Yvan Eht Nioj" music video. If the showcase of American military might in the sky wasn't enough, a walk along North Avenue beach will confirm, as recruiters try to lure in potential recruits to their booths.

Still, there's something awesome about the roar of jets zooming by in precision, a few feet apart, at least when we know were safely in Chicago and not hunkered down in Baghdad. We'll be watching both days, having managed access to two different high rise rooftops to take in the show.