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Three Upcoming Air and Water Shows on the Shores of Lake Michigan

June 21, 2012 at 1:00 PM | by | Comments (0)

It might not be the best way to beat the heat this summer, but when it comes to being entertained during the warmer weather nothing beats one of the country’s Air and Water Shows. It’s not just asphalt runways and tarmacs at these events, as all the flying fun takes place near, by, and on the water. Here’s three this summer to get your motor running:

South Shore Air Show – Gary, Indiana

The air and water show season begins at the beginning of July, as the planes and people gather on the shores of Lake Michigan in Gary, Indiana. All the events are hosted in and around Marquette Park on July 6 through July 8. Admission is free—which is awesome—but just prepared to pay for parking, as the premium options can cost you as much as $20.

This year’s events are headlined by the USAF Thunderbirds, but those aren’t the only pilots and plains that will be doing the flyovers and the loop-the-loops. Other performers scheduled include the LED studded Starjammer, the US Army Parachute Team, and of course plenty of vintage vehicles and trick pilots. The highlight of the show—at least to us—are the sunset events on Friday evening with fireworks scheduled to close out the night.

Milwaukee Air and Water Show – Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Further up the shores of Lake Michigan sits Milwaukee, and they’re getting ready for the planes and people that are set to descend upon Bradford Beach on August 11 and 12. Admission here is free, but if you want your own assigned general admission seat you’re going to have to shell out around $22 or so.

There are all kinds of different types of planes and pilots scheduled to do their thing, but organizers seem especially excited to see what the Black Diamonds Jet Team have to offer. Apparently there like the best when it comes to civilian airshow squadrons. US Navy SEALS will also be on hand as part of their Leapfrogs Parachute Demonstration Team, and that means plenty of brave military men leaping out of airplanes from high in the sky. The Marines, Navy, Air Force, Army, Cost Guard, and even the National Guard will all be represented, and of course there will be plenty of biplanes showing off their colorful contrails.

Chicago Air and Water Show – Chicago, Illinois

We might have saved the best for last, but it’s worth it as the granddaddy of all the summer shows takes place in Chicago on August 18 and 19. Free admission to one and all, and all you’ll have to do is make your way to North Avenue Beach nice and early to score yourself a comfortable spot. More than 2 million people have attended—in one way or another—in the past, so you’ll definitely be among friends.

Headliners this year include the F/A-18 Hornets of the US Navy Blue Angels, but the parachute teams from both the Army—the Golden Knights—and the Navy—the Leap Frogs—will give them some serious competition. Kirby Chambliss in the Red Bull Edge 540 and Aeroshell Aerobatic Team are just some of the civilian performers that will do their thing right over Lake Michigan. We don’t want to play favorites, but if you can only attend one of these festivals this summer—this is the one to see.

[Photos: _Tony_B]

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