Northerly Island, formally known as Meigs Field, is a 91- acre peninsula that juts into Lake Michigan at the heart of the Museum Campus. It is located just south of the Adler Planetarium and east of Soldier Field. The majority of this space is dedicated to nature! The nature area at Northerly Island features beautiful strolling paths, casual play areas and a spectacular view of the Chicago skyline. It is also home to some of the best fishing in Chicago.

What is more natural than watching the concerts from the waters!  The pavilion stage faces the lake, aiming the sound over the waters, concertgoers will get an eyeful of twinkling skyscrapers as a backdrop.

Seabreeze Boats board one hour before the concerts.

Charter One Pavilion At Northerly Island Concert Schedule

The 2010 Chicago Air and Water Show celebrates 52 years with two days of daredevil thrills in the air and on the water at North Avenue Beach and along Chicago’s magnificent lakefront August 14 & 15. Over the years, the show has become a summer tradition featuring aviation’s top military and civilian pilots.

Brief History of the Chicago Air Show:

From simple beginnings as part of a “Family Day Celebration” in 1959, the show has grown to the oldest and largest free admission air and water exhibition in the United States. With audience numbers reaching an average of 2.2 million annually, it is one of the largest spectator events in the world.

The first show was held under the direction of Al Benedict, a Chicago Park District Supervisor at Lakeshore Park. Held at Chicago Avenue and Lake Michigan, the show was titled the Lakeshore Park Air & Water Show, and was a part of a “Family Day” celebration for children enrolled in the Chicago Park District’s day camp program. The budget was $88, and the show featured a Coast Guard Air Sea Rescue demonstration, water skiers, a water ballet, games and a diving competition.

The following year, the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and Golden Knights Parachute Team performed to a huge crowd and the event became a Chicago summer tradition.

Eventually, the show was renamed the Chicago Park District Air & Water Show, expanded to two days, and moved to its current location at North Avenue Beach. Corporate sponsorship participation was incorporated in 1989, and now provides substantial support for the production costs of the show. The event has been managed by the Mayor’s Office of Special Events since 1994.

Shell returns as the presenting sponsor of this one of a kind show. It is Shell’s major contribution, and the contributions of all of the corporate sponsors, which allows the event to be presented free of charge. Over the years the show has featured some of the top names in aviation, and the 2008 show was no exception, the U.S. Navy Blue Angels and the Golden Knights Parachute Team were the headliners.

The event kicked off daily at 9 a.m. with the Shell Extreme Water Show, featuring the Liquid X Freestyle Pro Tour and the Munson Ski & Inboard Water Sports Ski Team. The Air Show started at 11 a.m., with amazing performances from numerous military and civilian aircraft that thrilled the crowds.

With Chicago’s magnificent skyline as a backdrop, the Chicago Air & Water Show was like no other.