The City of Chicago’s 60th Annual Chicago Air and Water Show presented by Shell Oil Products will take place this August 18 and 19 along the lakefront from Fullerton to Oak Street, with North Avenue Beach serving as show center from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. Strong in tradition and one of the largest free admission events of its kind, the show headliners include the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and the U.S. Army Parachute Team Golden Knights.
The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds have been astounding audiences since 1953 with their commanding presence and precision flying in their F-16 Fighting Falcons. As role models for men and women of all ages, the Thunderbirds are a select group of Air Force Pilots who perform intricate and precise maneuvers, often approaching the speed of sound. The brave men and women of the U.S. Army Parachute Team Golden Knights and the U.S. Navy Leap Frogs will inspire spectators as they jump out of an aircraft 12,500 feet above the earth’s surface to a perfect beach landing on North Avenue Beach.
To mark the 60th year of the popular lakefront event, the show will feature a wide variety of military and civilian aerial demonstration teams with daredevil pilots performing their stunts in the skies above Chicago. Returning acts confirmed for 2018 include: 4 Force, AeroShell Aerobatic Team, American Airlines, Bill Stein Aerosport, C-130, Chicago Fire Department Air/Sea Rescue, Chicago Police Department Helicopter, Firebirds Delta Team, KC-135, Matt Chapman Air Shows, Rob Holland, Sean D. Tucker and Team Oracle, Susan Dacy, Warbird Heritage Foundation A-4 Skyhawk Demo and P-51 Mustang, T-38,
U.S. Navy F-18, U.S. Coast Guard Helicopter, U.S. Coast Guard Cutter, U.S. Air Force F-35, U.S. Air Force Osprey U-WW Demo and show announcer Herb Hunter, the “Voice of the Air and Water Show” for the last 31 years.
“For more than 20 years, Shell and the City of Chicago have partnered together to present the Annual Chicago Air and Water Show,” said Barbara Stoyko, GM, Sales for Shell U.S. Fuels, Sales and Marketing. “The event, which highlights amazing performances both in the air and water from military and civilian teams, has been a tradition in Chicago for 60 years, and Shell is very proud to be a part of it. We appreciate all that the City of Chicago does to make this a spectacular event year in and year out and look forward to bringing this event to the public for free in conjunction with our local joint venture partners, wholesalers and dealers and the City of Chicago.”
For close to 26 years, ABC 7 Chicago has helped make The Chicago Air and Water Show one of the most exciting local traditions for families throughout the Chicagoland area. This year ABC 7 is creating “Air and Water Show Week” on Eyewitness News, with special features starting Monday, August 13, and leading up to coverage on Eyewitness News on Saturday, August 18, and Sunday, August 19, as the thrilling, high-powered tradition takes to the skies. Spectators on Lake Michigan and along the lakefront can watch and listen with WBBM Newsradio 780 and 105.9FM as they broadcast the show live both days and provide live streaming video coverage at www.WBBMNewsradio.com/airshow.
The Chicago Air and Water Show is presented by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events and Shell Oil Products U.S. and sponsored in part by ABC 7 Chicago, American Airlines, America Dimensions, Bud Light, The Boeing Company, Chicago Transit Authority, Chicago Tribune, Communications Direct, Hyatt Regency McCormick Place, Lewis University Department of Aviation and Transportation, Oracle and WBBM Newsradio 780 and 105.9FM.
For more information, visit www.chicagoairandwatershow.us, join the conversation on Facebook (Chicago Air and Water Show) and follow on Twitter and Instagram @Chicago-
DCASE (#ChiAirandWater).
