Chicago Air & Water Show

WindyCityPilot · August 14th, 2006, 15:46

Anyone going to be along the lakefront on Friday, August 18th to watch the practice run of the show? I'll be down near North Avenue Beach if anyone wants to meet up. Last few years I've gone on Saturday and the crowds are crazy.....Friday is the day to go...most people are working so you don't have to fight the crowds all day.

IndianaPilot · August 18th, 2006, 18:09

I've gone to the practice run once, and it was cool. However there is another event that really isnt advertised well, and it kinda is done by word of mouth. Every year, on the thursday evening before the show, they do a VIP airshow at the Gary/Chicago Airport in Indiana for like the politicians/military/government officials. The parking lot is open to the public when they do this......so you can sit there with lawn chairs and watch. It's a GREAT show.....each military jet does a demo, the golden nights, Lima Lima, the whole 9 yards. The second half is after dark, so it's kinda neat. The grand finale is pyrotechnics.....they fly by and do a fake bombing run, and there is a HUGE explosion. The view is great, because the entire show takes place right over the airport, and your much closer to it all then when your down watching it on the lakefront. So keep it in mind for next year...thursday night before the airshow weekend....6pm to 9pm at Gary Airport

August 14th, 2006, 15:46	#1
WindyCityPilot Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 755	Chicago Air & Water Show Anyone going to be along the lakefront on Friday, August 18th to watch the practice run of the show? I'll be down near North Avenue Beach if anyone wants to meet up. Last few years I've gone on Saturday and the crowds are crazy.....Friday is the day to go...most people are working so you don't have to fight the crowds all day.

August 18th, 2006, 18:09	#2
IndianaPilot Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Indiana Posts: 423	Re: Chicago Air & Water Show I've gone to the practice run once, and it was cool. However there is another event that really isnt advertised well, and it kinda is done by word of mouth. Every year, on the thursday evening before the show, they do a VIP airshow at the Gary/Chicago Airport in Indiana for like the politicians/military/government officials. The parking lot is open to the public when they do this......so you can sit there with lawn chairs and watch. It's a GREAT show.....each military jet does a demo, the golden nights, Lima Lima, the whole 9 yards. The second half is after dark, so it's kinda neat. The grand finale is pyrotechnics.....they fly by and do a fake bombing run, and there is a HUGE explosion. The view is great, because the entire show takes place right over the airport, and your much closer to it all then when your down watching it on the lakefront. So keep it in mind for next year...thursday night before the airshow weekend....6pm to 9pm at Gary Airport

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