Chicago Air and Water Show off to spectacular start

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Hundreds of thousands of people gathered at the lakefront to catch all of the high-flying action at the first day of Chicago's Air and Water Show on Saturday.

North Avenue Beach was packed and the show, as always, did not disappoint.

"Everything is so amazing. The pilots are unbelievably talented," said Sarah Gibbs.

PHOTOS: Chicago Air and Water Show

The Air and Water Show is back in Chicago and the crowds could not be more excited.

After last year's budget troubles kept all the military acts away, it was great to see them back, starting with the U.S Golden Knights and U.S. Navy Leapfrogs who kicked off Saturday's show skydiving onto North Avenue Beach to the U.S. Navy Blue Angels who closed it with their jaw dropping performance.

"This is my first one. Some of the things they are doing are incredible. It's so awesome. I'm in awe," said Leah Sapa.

But of course, it's not just the military acts that brings in the crowds. Sean Tucker and Team Oracle delighted fans who come back year after year just for them.

"I don't know how the planes hover like that, like go sideways," said Stefan Kniarz.

From one end to the other, hundreds of thousands crowded Chicago's lakefront to get a view of the show.

"It's awesome we come together, we enjoy each other as much as we watch the show," LaShawn Greer said.

It was a nearly perfect day for it too. And while probably nobody noticed, low cloud cover and wind issues forced planes to modify their acts as pilots had to remain below 3,000 feet.

"We did a consolidated show, we'll try again (Sunday)," said Golden Knights Battalion Commander Matt Weinrich.

In the end, everybody had fun and that's all that matters.

"I just like all of them for the most part. It's really cool seeing what you can do with planes and jets," said Daylin Miller.

The Air and Water Show continues on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.