The 58th Annual Chicago Air and Water Show returns on August 20 and 21

Highlights include U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, U.S. Army Parachute Team Golden Knights, U.S. Navy Leap Frogs and the F-35 Heritage Flight

CHICAGO, 2016-Jun-21 — /Travel PR News/ — The 58th Annual Chicago Air and Water Show, presented by Shell and the City of Chicago, will return August 20 and 21 along the lakefront from Fullerton to Oak Street, with North Avenue Beach serving as show center from 10am to 3pm daily. Strong in tradition and one of the largest free admission events of its kind, the show headliners include the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and the U.S. Army Parachute Team Golden Knights. New this year, the U. S. Air Force F-35 will take part in the show for the first time.

The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds have been astounding audiences since 1953 with their commanding presence and precision flying in their F-16 Fighting Falcons. As role models for men and women of all ages, the Thunderbirds are a select group of Air Force Pilots who perform intricate and precise maneuvers, often approaching the speed of sound.

The brave men and women of the U.S. Army Parachute Team Golden Knights and the U.S. Navy Leap Frogs will delight and inspire spectators as they jump out of an aircraft 12,500 feet above the earth’s surface making a landing on North Avenue Beach.

The popular lakefront event features a wide variety of military and civilian aerial demonstration teams with daredevil pilots performing their stunts in the skies above Chicago. New for 2016, the F-35 Heritage Flight will take part in the show for the first time. Returning acts confirmed for 2016 include: AeroShell Aerobatic Team, Aerostars, Bill Stein Airshows, Chicago Fire Department Helicopter Air/Sea Rescue, Dave Dacy in the Super Stearman Model 70, Firebirds Delta Team, Matt Chapman Airshows, P-51 Mustang, Sean D. Tucker and Team Oracle, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S.A.F. F-16, U.S.N. F-18, Warbird Heritage Museum Foundation: A-4 Skyhawk Jet Tac Demo – and show announcer Herb Hunter, the “Voice of the Air and Water Show.”

“For the last two decades, Shell and the City of Chicago have partnered together to present the Annual Chicago Air and Water Show,” said Barbara Stoyko, GM, Sales for Shell U.S. Fuels, Sales and Marketing. “The event, which highlights amazing performances both in the air and water from military and civilian teams, is a true staple in Chicago, and Shell is very proud to be a part of it. This has been a great partnership in its longevity and tradition and we appreciate all that the City of Chicago does to make this a spectacular event year in and year out. We look forward to continue bringing this event to patrons for free in conjunction with our local joint venture partners, wholesalers and dealers and the City of Chicago for years to come.”

The Chicago Air and Water Show is free to the public and made possible by presenting sponsor Shell Oil Products U.S. and the following sponsors: ABC 7 Chicago, American Airlines, Bud Light, The Boeing Company, Chicago Transit Authority, Chicago Tribune,Communications Direct, Hyatt Regency McCormick Place, M*M Graphics, Oracle and WBBM Newsradio 780 and 105.9FM.

Watch and listen with WBBM Newsradio 780 and 105.9FM as they broadcast the show live both days and also provide live streaming video coverage at cbschicago.com/airshow. Watch THE ABC 7 CHICAGO AIR AND WATER SHOW special highlighting all the thrills and breathtaking action of one of Chicago’s favorite summer events. Hosted by ABC 7 Eyewitness News Meteorologists Jerry Taft and Tracy Butler, this half-hour special will air Sunday, August 21, at 11 p.m. with an encore presentation on Sunday, August 28, at 4:30 p.m.

For more information about the 58th Annual Chicago Air and Water Show, please visit chicagoairandwatershow.us. To plan your trip to Chicago for the show, visit choosechicago.com. For updates, like us on Facebook (Chicago Air and Water Show) and follow us on Twitterand Instagram, @ChicagoDCASE (#ChiAirandWater).

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NOTE TO MEDIA: Please contact Mary May at 312.744.0576 or mmay@cityofchicago.org for media opportunities, photos and all media credential requests for the show on August 20 and 21 at North Avenue Beach.

Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events

The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) is dedicated to enriching Chicago’s artistic vitality and cultural vibrancy. This includes fostering the development of Chicago’s non-profit arts sector, independent working artists and for-profit arts businesses; providing a framework to guide the City’s future cultural and economic growth, via the 2012 Chicago Cultural Plan; marketing the City’s cultural assets to a worldwide audience; and presenting high-quality, free and affordable cultural programs for residents and visitors.

Mary May    mmay@cityofchicago.org, 312.744.0576
Christine Carrino    christine.carrino@cityofchicago.org, 312.744.0573

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