Chicago Air & Water Show August 17, 2007

The Chicago Air and Water Show shakes up the lakefront August 18 - 19, 2007 for the largest FREE show of its kind in the United States. This year the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and U.S. Army Parachute Team Golden Knights will headline the Chicago Air and Water Show along the lakefront from Fullerton to Oak Street, with North Avenue Beach as the focal point. The water show begins at 9 a.m. and air show runs from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. both days.

We are very proud to have the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds back this year. The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds have been dazzling audiences since 1953 with their commanding presence and precision flying in their F-16 Fighting Falcons. For the Thunderbird Demonstration Jet Team, 2007 is an unprecedented year as they are welcoming the two first ever female pilots. As role models for men and women of all ages the Thunderbirds area a select group of Air Force Pilots who perform intricate maneuvers as close as 18 inches apart and often approaching the speed of sound. They represent the skills and techniques demanded of every Air Force pilot and are considered a "mirror image" of every front-line fighter pilot.

Also headlining, the U.S. Army Parachute Team Golden Knights. Jumping out of an aircraft 12,500 feet about the earth's surface, racing to North Avenue Beach at speeds exceeding 120 mph and landing with smiles, ready to do it all again; all in a days work for the Golden Knights. For more than 44 years, the U.S. Army Parachute team has amazed and thrilled with their precision parachute demonstrations in more than 14,000 shows in all 50 states and 48 countries.

Strong in tradition and one of the world's premier aviation events, the show also includes a wide array of military and civilian acts. This year's civilian lineup includes: the Red Baron Squadron® thrilling audiences in their WWII era Boeing Stearman Biplane; the AeroShell Aerobatic Team, four pilots flying in the WWII North American Advanced Trainer; The Firebirds,; the six-plane Lima Lima Flight Team in the T-34 Mentor and finally daredevil pilot Sean Tucker and Team Oracle catapult across the sky in the one-of-a-kind Oracle Challenger.

Not to be missed, the Shell Extreme Water Show is sure to amaze the masses with the hottest pro freestyle tour on the water. This extreme sporting event features some of the world's finest wave riders competing for the "coolest move" and the "best wipe-out". The Liquid X Freestyle extreme water show will kick-off the festivities both days at 9:00 a.m. performing in Lake Michigan off of North Avenue Beach. The Munson Ski & Inboard Water Sports "Ski Show Team" will also present a thrilling water ski and wakeboard show while coasting through the waters of Lake Michigan.

Official Website: http://tinyurl.com/39o2ft