Gary airport again staging site for Chicago Air and Water Show
Dozens of aviators and aerial acts will be participating, officials said Wednesday.
Residents are invited to view planes taking off and landing from the airport's parking lot from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. each weekend day.
The viewing area will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a $20 parking fee per car. Food trucks will also be on site.
'We are proud to play a critical role in staging the aerial event for this weekend's Chicago Air and Water Show, which is one of the most exciting summer attractions in the county,' said GCIA Executive Director Dan Vicari.
The 2025 Chicago Air and Water Show will feature the U.S. Army's parachute team, Golden Knights, as well as the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds. Both also appeared at the Gary Air Show last weekend.
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Axios
7 hours ago
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How to watch Chicago's Air and Water Show
Get ready for the rumbling, wheezing, thrilling sights and sounds of the Chicago Air and Water Show this weekend. The big picture: U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds headline with the U.S. Army Parachute Team Golden Knights and the U.S. Navy Leap Frogs also performing. 10:30am-3pm Saturday and Sunday with views along the lakefront from Fullerton to Oak Street. The Blue Angels are not performing this year. Flashback: The first show was held in 1959 with a budget of $88, featuring a Coast Guard Air Sea Rescue demonstration, water skiers, a water ballet, games and a diving competition. Reality check: If the crowded lakefront isn't your scene, there are plenty of other spots to check out the action. Watch parties 360 Chicago Escape the heat and observe the show from the 94th-floor observation deck of 175 E. Delaware (the Hancock). 9am-11pm Friday-Sunday. . Enjoy the outdoors as entertainment unfolds in the sky at the theater and eatery. 11am-4pm Saturday-Sunday at Fullerton and the Lakefront. City Cruises Cruise the lake for two hours with brunch, music and a show. Times vary, Saturday-Sunday at Navy Pier. Tickets start at $129. Kayak Chicago Grab a paddle and take in the sights as the show roars overhead. . Food and Drink Specials Castaway's Beach Club Be in the center of the action at the North Avenue viewing party with breakfast and lunch buffets and an open bar. 9am-3pm Sunday at North Avenue Beach. Tickets start at $199. Whispers Watch the festivities at this outdoor party for giveaways, cocktails, a beach barbecue buffet, and photo ops. 10:30am-3:30pm Saturday-Sunday at Oak Street Beach. Tickets start at $25. Miru Robert's Pizza & Dough Co. Planning an outdoor picnic? Pick up a to-go package that includes pizza, a bottle of wine, apps and salads from the restaurant that regularly ranks as the best pizza in the U.S. Packages start at $110.
Chicago Tribune
13 hours ago
- Chicago Tribune
What to know if you're going to the Chicago Air and Water Show
Eyes will turn to the skies this weekend for the Chicago Air and Water Show. One million or more spectators are expected along the lakefront Aug. 16-17 to watch demonstrations by the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, U.S. Army Golden Knights parachute team and a variety of other civilian and military aircraft. Here's what to know about this year's show: how to get to the lakefront (or avoid it), weather conditions, a full lineup of performers and more. No, the event is free. North Avenue Beach is show center, but good sight lines can be found at Ohio Street Beach and along the lakefront from Fullerton Avenue south to Oak Street Beach. Nearby parks and playing fields are generally less crowded. 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday and Sunday. Rehearsal is scheduled for Friday. The beaches will open at 6 a.m., but there are no public seating areas and parking is not available at North Avenue Beach. The schedule is subject to change and determined on show days. The lineup includes: U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds: Founded 72 years ago, the demonstration team has performed here since 1960. More than 120 enlisted members prepare and service eight F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft. Six perform formation flying and solo routines during a typical demonstration. U.S. Army Parachute Team Golden Knights: Appearing here since the 1960s — when they would land in Lake Michigan — this team of soldiers has jumped with David Ross, former Cubs catcher and manager, actor Vince Vaughn and comedian Bill Murray. Other Air Force, Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard demonstrations: A-10 Thunderbolt II; C-17 Globemaster III; KC-135 Stratotanker; 122nd Fighter Wing and 434th Air Refueling Wing; 182nd Airlift Wing U.S. Marine Corps.: MV-22 Osprey; Air Station New River U.S. Coast Guard: Air and Sea Rescue Demonstration Civilians: Chicago Fire Department Air and Sea Rescue Unit; Chicago Police Department helicopter; Kevin Coleman; Susan Dacy; Ed 'Hamster' Hamill; Tom Larkin (Mini Jet Airshows); Bob Richards (Muscle Biplane Machaira); Bill Stein; and Warbird Thunder Pedestrians: Bridges, tunnels or underpasses at Fullerton Avenue, Division Street, Scott Street, Chicago Avenue, North Avenue Beach and Oak Street Beach provide easy access to the lakefront and North Avenue Beach. Public transportation: Extra service and capacity will be provided throughout the weekend. Use Regional Transportation Authority's Trip Planner tool to map your route. It's recommended passengers purchase tickets ahead of time or through the Ventra app to avoid long lines. Chicago Transit Authority and getting there by 'L': The CTA will provide extra service on some lines, but the No. 72 North Avenue bus will be rerouted. Take the Red Line to stations at Chicago/State or Clark/Division, which are within walking distance of show center. Or, take the Blue, Green, Orange, Brown or Pink lines to the downtown area and walk east. The closest CTA station to the North Avenue Beach entrance is the Brown Line's Sedgwick station. Metra: Extra service will be provided on four of Metra's 11 lines with expanded passenger capacity, too, during the weekend. Customers disembarking at Metra's Union Station or Millennium Park Station can board CTA's No. 151 buses to Oak Street and North Avenue beaches. Alcohol is prohibited and bicycles might not be accommodated all day Saturday and Sunday. Bike: Bringing your own bike? Bikes are allowed on the beach. Renting one? Divvy's closest station to North Avenue Beach is at DuSable Lake Shore Drive and North Boulevard. Plan your ride at Parking: No parking is available at show central. Millennium Garages' four, underground locations offer discounted online parking packages for purchase in advance and a free shuttle from Millennium Park Garage, 6 S. Columbus Drive, to and from near North Avenue Beach. Shuttles depart the garage every 20 minutes starting at 9 a.m. Pickup and drop-off is at inner DuSable Lake Shore Drive, half a block south of LaSalle Street. Last shuttle departs for the garage from North Avenue Beach at 3 p.m. Spothero also offers nearby parking options. All bags will be searched upon entry. What you can bring to the show: Leave at home: The forecast calls for hot, humid conditions with highs in the upper 80s to lower 90s and heat indices near or above 100 degrees. Sunday has a 6slight chance of an afternoon thunderstorm, according to the National Weather Service's Chicago office. It happens. Foggy and wet conditions delayed performances in 2022. In case of severe weather: Temporary shelter from rain, high winds, lightning or hail is available at various nearby underpasses (Diversey Harbor, Fullerton Avenue and LaSalle Drive) and pedway locations (Division Street, Scott Street, Oak Street and Chicago Avenue). Yes! Spectators can pay $20 per vehicle for entrance to the parking lot at Gary/Chicago International Airport, where they can watch aircraft take off and land. Herb Hunter is the show announcer based at North Avenue Beach. He's a former military pilot and United Airlines captain. Play-by-play coverage will be on WBBM-AM 780 and 105.9 FM. For those who are low vision or blind, there will be an audio description both days of the show that is accessible via Zoom. Vertical green signs with white letters and numbers called pole markers are attached to all light poles along the lakefront. Lost? Injured? Witness criminal activity? Look up, call 911 and give the letter/number on the pole nearest your location to help first responders locate you. Or, use the pole marker to let friends and family know where you are. Sources: Tribune reporting; Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events Subscribe to the free Vintage Chicago Tribune newsletter, join our Chicagoland history Facebook group, stay current with Today in Chicago History and follow us on Instagram for more from Chicago's past.
Chicago Tribune
a day ago
- Chicago Tribune
Gary airport again staging site for Chicago Air and Water Show
Just as the Gary Air Show wrapped up its two-day run at Marquette Park, performers in the Chicago Air and Water Show will begin staging Saturday and Sunday at the Gary/Chicago International Airport for the Chicago show along the city's lakefront. Dozens of aviators and aerial acts will be participating, officials said Wednesday. Residents are invited to view planes taking off and landing from the airport's parking lot from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. each weekend day. The viewing area will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a $20 parking fee per car. Food trucks will also be on site. 'We are proud to play a critical role in staging the aerial event for this weekend's Chicago Air and Water Show, which is one of the most exciting summer attractions in the county,' said GCIA Executive Director Dan Vicari. The 2025 Chicago Air and Water Show will feature the U.S. Army's parachute team, Golden Knights, as well as the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds. Both also appeared at the Gary Air Show last weekend.
