Since 1959, eye-catching planes have whirred through the air above the Windy City each summer during the Chicago Air & Water Show. This year, WBBM Newsradio is again the station to tune into for live coverage of the event on Aug. 16 and 17.
You can also stream WBBM's coverage online here, or by downloading the Audacy app.
"The Chicago Air & Water Show is one of our city's most beloved summer traditions, bringing together residents and visitors from around the world to enjoy an exciting, family-friendly experience on our beautiful lakefront," Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said. "We are proud to celebrate the incredible skill and dedication of our servicemen and women, while showcasing the very best of Chicago."
U.S. Army Parachute Team Golden Knights and U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds will headline the 66th Chicago Air & Water Show, which is the largest free admission event of its kind, according to the city's Department of Cultural Affairs. Planes will fly from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days of the show, soaring along the Lake Michigan shoreline from Fullerton Avenue to Oak Street, with North Avenue Beach serving as the show center. Both military and civilian performers will take to the skies for the event.
Here is a list of acts scheduled to perform:
Featured military performers:
• U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds
• U.S. Army Parachute Team – Golden Knights
• U.S. Air Force C-17 Demo – 15th Airlift Squadron
• Illinois Air National Guard KC-135 - 126th Air Refueling Wing
• Maryland Air National Guard A-10's - 104th Fighter Squadron
• U.S. Coast Guard Search & Rescue Demo
• U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 (Osprey) Demo
• Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 365
Civilian performers:
• Bill Stein Airshows
• Coleman Aerosports – Kevin Coleman
• Folds of Honor Biplane – Ed Hamill
• Mini Jet Airshows – Tom Larkin
• Muscle Biplane Machaira – Bob Richards
• Super Stearman "Big Red" – Susan Dacy
• Warbird Thunder Airshows
Additional performers and support:
• Chicago Police Department Helicopters
• Chicago Fire Department Air / Sea Rescue
• Arresting Gear
• AFOPS, MWSS-272
• MACG-28, 2d MAW
• Marine Corps Air Station New River
• Indiana Air National Guard - 122nd Fighter Wing
• Illinois Air National Guard - 182nd Airlift Wing
• U.S. Air Force Reserve - 434th Air Refueling Wing
"This show captures the heart of summertime in Chicago – free, accessible, and thrilling for people of all ages," said DCASE Commissioner Clinée Hedspeth. "We're excited to welcome back world-class performers like the Golden Knights who have an unforgettable weekend of entertainment planned for those taking in the show along our iconic skyline."
As the show itself celebrates 66 years in Chicago, it also recognizes another big milestone – the U.S. Army and Marine Corps' 250th anniversary. Those watching the skies will be able to see World War II-era aircraft once used by the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps to train combat pilots for missions called the SNJ-2 and SNJ-3 (or Ol Growler), flown by Warbird Thunder Airshows.
For more information and a full list of performers, visit chicagoairandwatershow.us.
