Look! Up in the Air! It's a Bird! It's a Plane! Yup, it's definitely a Plane.

     This past weekend, it seemed that all of Chicago had turned out to the city's beaches to watch aircraft and watercraft parade all over the lakefront.  All of a sudden, daredevil pilots from across the nation were on hand to mystify and amaze the crowds gathered on North Avenue Beach.  This was all part of a Chicago tradition that has been going on since 1959.  Even though there were military demonstrations on our beaches prior to that, that was the year of the first official show.  That year was a mere shadow of the festivities that would come, with a Coast Guard Air Sea Rescue demo, water ballet, water skiers, and a diving competition.  For the 1960 show, the Thunderbirds and the Golden Knights would initiate an annual tradition by joining the show.

     The show normally operates on Saturday and Sunday, with an unofficial practice show taking place on the Friday beforehand.  However, the schedule was changed up for the 2008 50th Anniversary show, and Friday's practice became a fully-fledged show day.  Not just that, but they pulled out all the stops for it.  Florence Henderson got things started with the National Anthem, followed by the Golden Knights parachuting out of the skies-with Chicagoan Bill Murray in tow, who was there to promote the USO.  But all the excitement wasn't just in the air.  On land, the Lt. Dan Band was rocking the night away with fellow Chicagoan Gary Sinise leading the band.  After a freestyle jet-skiing demonstration from Gary Burtka and some of his award-winning buddies, the night drew to a close with a flyover by a B-1 bomber and some fireworks.  All told, 3.l Million people were estimated to have watched the 2008 show.

     In the years since there have been such spectacles as 50 Air Force recruits being sworn in during the show, to protests against the military aspect of the show, to several women protesting on the beach for their right to go topless in public, to an on-beach proposal.  This year marked the triumphant return of the Blue Angels to the show, and what a sight they were to be seen.  Unfortunately, Chicago only got one day of the Air Show, because Sunday's festivities were called off due to fog.  Regardless, the Air and Water Show dazzled in its 56th edition, and 2015 looks just as promising.  As we wrap up, I'd like to leave you all with this picture.  If this doesn't encapsulate the Chicago Air and Water Show to a T, I don't know what does: