Been here to this event in past years, it's always been great family fun yet crowded up the ying yang, particularly when the weather is cooperative as it appears it will be this weekend for the Annual Air & Water Show..... which takes place at North Avenue / Oak Street beach, and usually crowds the entire lakefront with literally millions of people for the weekend.
Here's a quick synopsis if the heralded event.
Here's a quick synopsis if the heralded event.
Leave early and bring plenty of money ......lolThe two-day free event will run today from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., beginning with the water show and then at 10:45 the Army Parachute Team Golden Knights will kick off the air portion of the event as the National Anthem is played, said Mary May, a spokeswoman for the Mayor's office of special events.
A highlight of the event will be the Air Force Thunderbirds,a precision-flying team whose F-16s are expected to thrill the crowds with high-altitude loops and formation flying, said May. They are expected to go on between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m., she said.
Other acts include the 6-member Lima Lima Flight Team, the Firebirds Delta Team and the Red Bull MiG helicopter.
Chicago Breaking News:More than 2 million people are expected to crowd along the lake front between today and Sunday to "ooh" and "ah" as the jets thunder overhead for the 51st annual Chicago Air and Water Show.
Alma Carrillo and her husband Julio Gaspar of Chicago were among the many early risers beginning to make their way to the lake front this morning. The couple were making their way with their three children, a cooler full of food and water and beach chairs about three hours before the show kicked off to make sure they had prime viewing spots.
Even though, the closest parking spot they could find was about a half mile away she said the annual event was worth it. She said she has been attending for the last 15 years.
"I like everything about it, I like to relax under the sun and watch the airplanes,'' said Carrillo.
Luis Garcia and his wife Gobelea left their Grayslake home at about 6 a.m., expecting to be early enough to get a parking spot close to the beach. Instead the couple found a spot about a mile away which they walked carrying, chairs, food and liquids.
"I've come for the last 15 to 20 years, I love the planes and being on beach front is fun...I just hope they aren't going to start charging to see it," Garcia said.
The two-day free event will run today from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., beginning with the water show and then at 10:45 the Army Parachute Team Golden Knights will kick off the air portion of the event as the National Anthem is played, said Mary May, a spokeswoman for the Mayor's office of special events.
A highlight of the event will be the Air Force Thunderbirds,a precision-flying team whose F-16s are expected to thrill the crowds with high-altitude loops and formation flying, said May. They are expected to go on between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m., she said.
Other acts include the 6-member Lima Lima Flight Team, the Firebirds Delta Team and the Red Bull MiG helicopter.
She said the focal point of the event will be North Avenue Beach but people traditionally crowd the lake front from Diversey Parkway to the north and Navy Pier to the south.
Jennifer Martinez, a spokeswoman for the Office of Emergency Management said they plan to beef up the number of traffic aides in the area and said officials plan a "soft closure" of the inner drive from Diversey Parkway to Lasalle Drive. Pedestrians will have access to the street and vehicle traffic will be limited to residents of the area.
City officials are calling on visitors to use public transportation but are offering free shuttle bus service from Millennium Park to North Avenue Beach, May said.
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