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• Meeting ID: 830 0410 2915
• Passcode: 882233

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1. Where is the event’s pick up and drop off located? At the North Ave. north bound entrance to Jean Baptiste Point DuSable Lake Shore Drive. Use of the N. LaSalle turn around is limited to Emergency Management's discretion. All drop off and pick up traffic may be cut off due to crowd density or Emergency Management's discretion. Please arrive early and plan to stay through the end of the event if you need pick up and drop off at this point.

2. What is the best way to get to the show? By using public transportation. Extended routes and additional buses and trains will be added to the Chicago Transit Authority’s schedule to accommodate the expected 2 million event spectators.

Rail Service
Spectators who wish to avoid street traffic altogether can reach the Air and Water Show on Red Line trains from subway stations at Chicago/State or Clark/Division, which are within walking distance of the beach.

Customers who take the Pink, Orange and Green lines can ride downtown and transfer to the Red Line at State/Lake. Customers can also transfer from the Red Line at North/Clybourn, the Blue Line at Damen or the Brown Line at Sedgwick to connect to #72 North Avenue buses that will supplement regular service along North Avenue from California to Clark.

CTA customer assistants will be on hand at all downtown rail stations to assist customers with fare and travel information, and customers are advised to allow extra travel time.

Bus Service
On both days, supplemental bus service will be provided on the #72 North Avenue and #151 Sheridan routes, which operate close to all the activities. In an effort to avoid traffic congestion near the North Avenue Beach area, #72 buses only will travel as far east as North Avenue and Clark. Buses on the #145 Wilson/Michigan Express, #146 Inner Drive/Michigan Express and #147 Outer Drive Express routes operate to Michigan and Delaware and are within walking distance of the beach. Customers also can take the #22 Clark or #36 Broadway routes to North and Clark, which is within walking distance of North Avenue Beach.

Customers disembarking at Metra’s Union Station or Millennium Park Station can board #151 buses to Oak Street and North Avenue beaches. The #151 buses also are within walking distance of the Ogilvie Transportation Center and the LaSalle Street Metra station.

Parking
If travelling by car, be aware that there is no parking available at the beach and there is limited parking available at Lincoln Park Zoo.

Taxis and Rideshares
To avoid traffic congestion, it is recommended to be dropped off away from the entrance to North Avenue Beach and walk in.

3. Will the show be broadcast? Yes – Play-by-play coverage of the show will air on WBBM Newsradio 780 and 105.9FM and the free Audacy app, on Saturday and Sunday from 10:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. 

4. Will there be a seating area with chair available for the public? No, there are no public seating areas provided or overseen by staff at the event.

Accessibility: For people with mobility disabilities an accessible beach mat will be set up Saturday and Sunday for sand accessibility between the Castaways beach seating footprint and the event staging barricades; moving toward the lake turn right at Castaways to reach the accessible space. The mat is about 2 blocks from the vehicle drop off area. There will be an accessibility symbol marking the beach mat entrance and security. The mat may fill up. Please respect that this space is for people with disabilities. Audio Description is provided for Deaf/Hard of Hearing individuals via a zoom. For hard of hearing guests we recommend enabling the auto captions on the WBBM feed.

5. Where can I sit to watch the show? People are welcome to sit or stand on the sand or grass areas in the park. Please keep all entry, exit and restroom ramps in the park clear.

6. Where is the best location to watch the show? The prime viewing location for the Chicago Air and Water Show is on the lakefront from Oak Street to Fullerton Avenue with the show’s focal point being North Avenue Beach (1601 N. Jean-Baptiste Pointe DuSable Lake Shore Drive). The lakefront will be open to the public beginning at 6 a.m. both Saturday and Sunday.

7. Can I bring a blanket, chairs and a cooler to the beach to watch the Air and Water Show? Yes.

8. Are beach umbrellas allowed at the Air and Water Show? Yes.

9. What items are prohibited from being brought onto festival grounds at North Ave. Beach?

• Alcoholic Beverages
• BBQ Grills (Open Flames)
• Drones (Personal and Commercial)
• Fireworks or Explosives
• Illegal Substances & Weapons
• Pop-up Tents/Canopies
• Balloons
• Kites
• Flag Poles
• All Pets (except Service Animals)

Failure to comply with the above may result in entry being denied. All containers will be subject to search. Bicycles may not be ridden on festival grounds.

10. Do you have a schedule of what time each performer will perform? No. The program is the same both days (Saturday & Sunday), we do not have a schedule of who will be performing at what time, this is decided by the pilots the day of the event. You can count on the headliners performing last.

11. When do boat restrictions start on the lake? 7 a.m. You will have to follow the lead of the Coast Guard and the Police Marine Unit.

12. What refreshment options are available? Refreshment options will be plentiful, with food vendors located up and down the lakefront, including at the North Avenue Beach House.

13. What amenities are available? There will be plenty of restroom facilities, including in the North Avenue Beach House and portable facilities scattered throughout the beach area. Spectators in need of first aid can find a first aid tent at the entrance to the parking lot west of the North Avenue Beach House. There is also a “lost child tent” located in the center of the LaSalle Street turnaround.

14. What should I bring to the event? Spectators are encouraged to bring a portable radio/mobile device to listen to WBBM Newsradio 780 / 105.9’s live feed of the show, a hat, binoculars, chairs, plenty of sunscreen and earplugs, especially for children and those who have hearing sensitivities, due to heightened noise levels from the low-flying, supersonic stunt aircraft. Chicago beaches can also be quite hot, so a personal cooler with water and ice is also recommended. Spectators looking to stay cool will have access to “cooling buses” stationed at the entrance to North Avenue Beach, available free of charge.

15. What should I leave at home? While on the beach, show organizers remind visitors that normal beach security rules will apply. The following items are prohibited on show grounds at North Avenue Beach: BBQ grills (open flames), drones (personal or commercial), alcohol, fireworks or explosives, illegal substances or weapons, pop-up tents or canopies, all flying objects such as helium balloons and kites, flag poles, and all pets, excluding service animals. Bags and coolers will be subject to search.

Tips for boaters: For spectators planning to watch the Air and Water Show from the water, here are some tips to keep in mind:

Boaters can choose to watch the show from Lake Michigan. In addition to the “Playpen,” which is always popular and crowded during the show, boaters can be out on Lake Michigan so long as they avoid the show’s restricted zone, which will be identified by orange “Do Not Enter” buoys. This zone will be patrolled by the Coast Guard, the Chicago Fire Department, and the Chicago Police Department to ensure everyone’s safety.

The law states that all boat passengers must wear a life vest, and boating under the influence is strictly prohibited. The Coast Guard reserves the right to board your vessel at any time to confirm that the proper safety equipment is on board, and that the boat operator is not under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

The U.S. Coast Guard recommends that all vessels have a stock of emergency equipment including flares, fire extinguishers, a signal mirror and a VHF-FM marine radio, which is more reliable for emergency communications on the water than a cell phone.

Be sure to maintain a safe speed and adhere to “no wake” zones to avoid endangering other vessels.

If you are chartering a boat, be sure that the operator is properly licensed, and that the vessel has a valid Coast Guard Certificate of Inspection.

If you witness something suspicious or dangerous while out on the water, please contact 911 or the U.S. Coast Guard at 414-747-7182.

Where to listen: Herb Hunter, the long-time official announcer of the Chicago Air and Water Show, returns to the booth this year and his commentary can be heard from Oak Street Beach to Fullerton Beach. In addition, WBBM Newsradio 780 / 105.9 will broadcast the show live Saturday and Sunday, on both the radio and the free Audacy app.

Rehearsal performance: Not available for the official Chicago Air and Water Show dates of Aug. 16 and 17? The featured acts will be rehearsing on the waterfront on Friday, Aug. 15 from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and spectators are welcome at North Avenue Beach.

For reasonable accommodation not listed here please email DCASEAccess@cityofchicago.org. 72 hours advance notice is required.