There is nothing quite so relaxing as sitting on the shore of one of the Great Lakes, the largest freshwater lakes in the United States, and watching the birds fly over, occasionally swooping down to the waters surface and flying away with a small fish for dinner. It is a peaceful moment when nature is at its most and life is as it should be. That is truly a special time, but for some, that sort of activity would spell out a waste of valuable vacation time. Some folks just like to see and do big things on their vacations and save the relaxation for home time. For those individuals, Lake Michigan in Chicago has just the right occasion for them.



Once per year the grand city of Chicago hosts an annual event called the Chicago Air and Water festival. This is an awesome showing of some of the most talented flying individuals in the world! The water aspect comes in the fact that the shows are performed over the water of Lake Michigan while the crowd looks on from the lakeshore. You will see some stunt flying at this festival that will almost stop your heart.

The performers in this show are varied, but usually are made up of at least one military team, such as next years show with the famed United States Air Force stunt jet flying team, the Thunderbirds. You will enjoy a day on the Lake Michigan Beach, relaxing as you watch these amazing pilots fly at speeds in excess of two hundred miles per hour, yet actually coming within inches of one another while performing harrowing stunts. The flames do rollovers, flips, three hundred and sixty degree turns, and loops. You will also get to see another Army team; the Parachute Team Golden Knights perform as they bail from an aircraft at a frightening twelve thousand plus feet in the sky. These brave men and women will be falling at over one hundred miles per hour until they finally pop open their parachutes. This will leave you holding your breath in fear as they wait until the last possible second to pull the chutes. There are also local sponsored flyers that get in on the show every year also, such as the Red Barron Pizza Squadron, the AeroShell Aerobatic Team and the Air Force Reserves.

The festival is more than just a couple hours of flight shows. There will be hundreds of vendors lining the shorefront with a variety of gifts, memorabilia and even balloons. Many of the fine restaurant establishments will be serving food for the visitors. There will be foods of all ethnicities and styles from culinary classics to modern day appetizers and snacks. You will later on find out that the whole city is involved in the festival as there will be street vendors and all kinds of other attractions and events going on out on the streets of the lakefront area.

You have Stunt flying, beaches, food and festivities, all in one amazing vacation expedition. What more could one ask for in an exciting summer getaway? Check the calendar for the exact date and set aside a little vacation time this year for Chicago Illinois and see the Chicago Air and Water Show. You'll be glad that you did.