The Chicago Air and Water Show features performances from military planes, the U.S Navy's Blue Angels team, Aeroshell Team of stunt pilots in wing-suits flying at speeds over 100 mph just a few feet apart to create an amazing visual effect that leaves audiences on their feet cheering for more! The show also has skydiving exhibitions like pyramids in which multiple parachutes open up with different colors creating geometric shapes such as stars and hearts while falling towards Lake Michigan. There is even a vintage plane exhibition featuring WWII aircrafts flown by veterans who fought for our freedom against Germany during World War II.
2012 Chicago Air and Water Show
On Saturday August 18th I had the opportunity to experience the Chicago Air and Water Show from the deck of the High Life with Captain Justin and the Just Sailing crew. The Chicago Air and Water Show is a spectacle from any angle but being on the water might get you the best view of the city and the show. We got to North Avenue Beach around 11:30 and got a great spot just a little ways away from the restricted area. We were on an 8 person sailboat so we were able to get nice and close and drop anchor in a great spot.
The Chicago Air and Water show features all sorts of planes and arial acrobatics. The planes range from small trick planes and bi-wings up to the Navy's Blue Angels and cargo planes. All the performers are great but seeing the raw power and agility of the Blue Angels is truly amazing. We were located in a spot where the planes would come directly over us as they made their loops. This gave us an amazing up close view of the planes.
As you can see by the pictures, the weather was crystal clear which made for an excellent show. Last year I watched the show from the John Hancock Observatory which was a totally different experience but an awesome one. Both locations are very different but both are equally amazing. If you are looking for an amazing location for next year's Air and Water show I suggest you give Captain Justin a call at Just Sailing and reserve him and his boat.