DOWNTOWN — Some people flock to North Avenue Beach for the Chicago Air and Water Show. Some crowd onto rooftops. Some head to the city's parks.
But if you can't — or don't — want to take the time this weekend for the actual performances, there's still a great show to be seen from the comfort of your office during the week.
Practice runs for the 58th annual Chicago Air and Water Show began Thursday and will continue Friday, giving Downtown workers a free preview of the big guns. This year's headliners include the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds.
So just wait for the deafening noise, crowd around the windows, look for reflections in neighboring buildings and try to spot the jets zooming over the Loop.
Participating aerial demonstration teams will begin arriving along Chicago shores on Thursday, and lucky bystanders will be able to spot the air demonstration squadrons zipping across the Downtown skyline, said Mary May, a spokeswoman for the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events.
"[Bystanders could] see some of the teams flying Downtown and spot-checking, or getting familiar with the landmarks and flying over the site where they will be doing the show," May said.
The official practice day will be held Friday from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m., during which participating teams will all be testing the skies.
The main event, held on Saturday and Sunday, is free and open to the public. This year's headliners include the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, the U.S. Army Parachute Team Golden Knights and the U.S. Navy Parachute Team Leap Frogs.
Retired Chicago Bears cornerback Charles "Peanut" Tillman will open the Saturday show by tandem jumping with the U.S. Golden Knights to commemorate the 75 Anniversary of the United Service Organizations, a nonprofit aimed at helping United States service members and their families.
The annual lakefront event will feature a wide array of military and civilian aerial demonstration teams, complete with daredevil pilots performing stunts above the Chicago skyline.
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