One of the biggest air shows in the world will hit Chicago this weekend (August 15-16) and as always it promises to delight natives and tourists alike.

The Chicago Air and Water show is an annual event, which began simply as a “Family Day Celebration” in 1959 but has grown to become the largest air and water event in the United States. The event is free, and attracts thousands of excited spectators to vantage points across the city.

Although the final schedule is yet to be announced the US Military will be heavily represented this year. The United States Airforce Thunderbirds team has been a popular attraction at many previous shoes and they will be returning in 2009. The air demonstration team, which comprises of 140 enlisted members of the airforce, is in their 59th season as a touring team but their aerobatics are still a source of amazement and entertainment.

Aside from the military contingent a number of private aircraft display teams will also be at the show to entertain the crowd, which is expected to exceed 2 million spectators over the course of two days.

The military are also represented by two different parachute demonstration teams, the Golden Knights and the Leap Frogs. The Golden Knights team has been in existence since 1959 and these days they use their public appearances not only to demonstrate their immense skills but also as a way to promote opportunities for young people in the US Army. The Leap Frogs are Navy parachutists famous for their blue and gold canopys, deployed at 5,000 feet after jumping from aircraft at a height of 12,500 feet. The Leap Frogs team consists of fourteen highly trained Navy Specialists and their formations are an incredible sight to behold.

For those who prefer their action to be water based the US Coast Guard will be on hand to demonstrate their prowess to the crowd, as well of dozens of other daredevil water enthusiasts. The aquatic action takes place on the famous Chicago waterfront and this year the air water shows are being combined to provide a full days worth of thrills that are slated to run 10 AM through 4 PM on both Saturday and Sunday.

One question remains to be answered; will Bill Murray be back? In 2008 the veteran comedian made a parachute jump with the Golden Knights, landing at the North Gate beach much to the delight of the crowd.