Air and Water Show thrills once again

August 18, 2012 (CHICAGO)

Excited spectators poured into North Avenue Beach early Sunday to get the best seats for the show. An estimated 2 million people will pack the lakefront this weekend.

"I want to get a good spot up front and my friends can all join me there without having to come at 6 o'clock like I do," Georgia Thomas told ABC7 Chicago.

Thomas also said she packed water along with breakfast, lunch and dinner to prepare for the whole day. The show was scheduled from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.

On Saturday, a massive crowd of people gathered up and down the shore to see all the high-flying action.

Spectators and pilots alike could not have asked for better day.

"It was a perfect show, the venue was fantastic and the crowd was unbelievable, I think this is the biggest crowd I've seen all year," said Lt. Mark Tedrow of the US Navy Blue Angels.

Under picture perfect skies, the US Army's Golden Nights parachuted onto North Avenue Beach, where thousands of people gathered to watch the jaw-dropping aerobatics that year after year bring keep them coming back.

All the favorites were on display, military and civilian alike. High on that list, the death-defying stunts of Team Oracle's Sean D. Tucker.

As much as the acts in the skies have become a regular part of the chicago air and water show, so has, the man who narrates it all. For more than a quarter of a century, former pilot herb hunter has behind it all.

And of course, the act, everyone was waiting for was left for last. The US Navy Blue Angels headlined Saturday's show.

The six FA-18 Hornets delighted the crowd with their maneuvers, including some where the jets come just 18 inches away from each other even as they travel at speeds over 350 miles per hour.

Copyright © 2024 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.