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U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and U.S. Army Parachute Team Golden Knights to Headline

CHICAGO – The City of Chicago and Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) proudly present the 2023 Chicago Air and Water Show, August 19 and 20 along the lakefront from Fullerton to Oak Street, with North Avenue Beach serving as show center from 10:30am to 3pm daily. Established in 1959 and one of the largest free admission events of its kind, headliners of the 2023 show include the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and the U.S. Army Parachute Team Golden Knights. This will be the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds’ first appearance in Chicago since 2018.

The U.S. Air Force demonstration team, the Thunderbirds, are celebrating their 70th year in 2023, flying since 1953. Today’s Thunderbirds will thrill crowds with aerobatic formation and solo flying in their F-16C Fighting Falcons. The brave men and women of the U.S. Army Parachute Team Golden Knights will inspire spectators as they jump out of an aircraft 12,000 feet above the earth’s surface to a perfect target landing on North Avenue Beach.

The popular lakefront event features a wide variety of military and civilian performers and aerial demonstration teams with world-class pilots performing their aerobatic maneuvers along Chicago’s lakefront. Featured military performers for the 2023 event include: US Air Force F-16 Viper Demo Team, US Air Force Heritage Flight Demo Team (P-51 Mustang), US Air Force C-17 Globemaster III Demo Team, US Air Force/Air National Guard A-10 Thunderbolt II (x4), US Air Force/Air National Guard KC-135E Stratotanker, US Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet “Rhino” Demo Team, US Navy Legacy Flight Demo Team (A-4B Skyhawk & FG-1D Corsair), US Coast Guard MH-65D Dolphin Search & Rescue Demo.

Show announcer Herb Hunter, the “Voice of the Air and Water Show” for more than 35 years returns to narrate and guide the spectators through each performer's aerial choreography.

Civilian performers at the 2023 show include Susan Dacy, Bill Stein, Kevin Coleman, Rob Holland, Triple Time Team, The Chicago Fire Department Air/Sea Rescue, and the Chicago Police Department helicopter.

“The Chicago Air and Water show is a summer highlight for the more than one million spectators who view the show every year,” said DCASE Commissioner Erin Harkey. “Audiences can expect to see incredible performances from world-class military and civilian teams gracing the Chicago sky over an exciting two days.”

The Chicago Air and Water Show is presented by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. The Chicago Air & Water Show is supported by The Boeing Company, ABC 7 Chicago, WBBM Newsradio, Chicago Transit Authority and Millennium Garages.

Audio description will be available for those who are blind/low vision both days of the event; register at this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82598113869

For more information, visit chicagoairandwatershow.us, join the conversation on Facebook (Chicago Air and Water Show) and follow us on Twitter and Instagram @ChicagoDCASE (#ChiAirandWater).

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NOTE TO MEDIA: Please contact Ron Hall at ronh@carolfoxassociates.com or Hibo Aden at hibo.aden@cityofchicago.org for media opportunities, photos and all media credential requests for the show on August 19 and 20 at North Avenue Beach.

Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events
The City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) supports artists and cultural organizations, invests in the creative economy, and expands access and participation in the arts throughout Chicago’s 77 neighborhoods. As a collaborative cultural presenter, arts funder, and advocate for creative workers, our programs and events serve Chicagoans and visitors of all ages and backgrounds, downtown and in diverse communities across our city — to strengthen and celebrate Chicago. DCASE produces some of the city’s most iconic festivals, markets, events, and exhibitions at the Chicago Cultural Center, Millennium Park, and in communities across the city — serving a local and global audience of 25 million people. The Department offers cultural grants and resources, manages public art, supports TV and film production and other creative industries, and permits special events throughout Chicago. For details, visit Chicago.gov/DCASE and stay connected via our newsletters and social media.