It’s time to get ready for the free Chicago Air and Water Show which takes over the Lake Michigan lakefront August 14-15, 2010 for the largest FREE show of its kind in the United States. This year, the family friendly spectacle includes the headlingin U.S. Navy Blue Angels and U.S. Army Parachute Team Golden Knights. All of the water level action for the 52nd Annual Chicago Air and Water Show takes place along the lakefront from Fullerton to Oak Street, with North Avenue Beach as the focal point. 
Please be aware that there is a new starting time this year and the water and air portions have been combined for one continuous show beginning at 11 am and ending at 4 pm both days.
Headliners
(Not in order of Appearance, Subject to Change)
Military Aircraft Performers
(Pending Availability, Subject to Change)
- USAF C-130 Hercules
- Heritage Flight
- Viper West F-16 Demonstration Team
- USAF B-1B Lancer Bomber
- U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk Helicopter
- KC 135 Stratotanker Aerial Refueling
- C-17
- T-6
- U.S.N. F-18 Super Hornet Demo
- T-38 Talon Demonstration
- USAF Reserve ParaRescue Wing
- U.S. Coast Guard Air/Sea Rescue
History
The first show was held under the direction of Al Benedict, a Chicago Park District Supervisor at Lakeshore Park. Held at Chicago Avenue and Lake Michigan, the show was titled the Lakeshore Park Air & Water Show, and was a part of a “Family Day” celebration for children enrolled in the Chicago Park District’s day camp program. The budget was $88, and the show featured a Coast Guard Air Sea Rescue demonstration, water skiers, a water ballet, games and a diving competition.
The following year, the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and Golden Knights Parachute Team performed to a huge crowd and the event became a Chicago summer tradition.
Eventually, the show was renamed the Chicago Park District Air & Water Show, expanded to two days, and moved to its current location at North Avenue Beach. Corporate sponsorship participation was incorporated in 1989, and now provides substantial support for the production costs of the show. The event has been managed by the Mayor’s Office of Special Events since 1994. Shell returns as the presenting sponsor of this one of a kind show. It is Shell’s major contribution, and the contributions of all of the corporate sponsors, which allows the event to be presented free of charge. Over the years the show has featured some of the top names in aviation, and the 2008 show was no exception, the U.S. Navy Blue Angels and the Golden Knights Parachute Team were the headliners.
