The 2008 Chicago Air and Water Show celebrates 50 years of daredevil thrills in the air and on the water, Friday through Sunday at North Avenue Beach, along Chicago’s lakefront. With audience numbers reaching an average of 2.2 million each year, it is one of the largest consecutively running spectator events in the United States. This is the first year the city will hold the show on Friday, so we can only hope the beaches remain less crowded than on the weekend. Since it is a workday,most of the working people will be in their air-conditioned cubes working during the daytime events. Besides the regular air spectacles—the U.S. Navy Blue Angels and the U.S. Army Parachute Team Golden Knights are headlining—there's also a concert at the North Avenue Beach Boat House, actor Bill Murray jumping out of a plane and fireworks.

Exits on Lake Shore Drive will close on and off during the event.The No. 72N and No. 151 buses will drop you off at North Avenue beach. Or take the Red Line "L" to the Clark/Division stop and make your way north and east toward the lake.Drop your bike off at the free bike valet at Theater on the Lake at Fullerton and the lakefront bike path.

Air show begins at 3 p.m. Friday and concludes with the 5 p.m. concert and fireworks at 8:45 p.m. On Saturday and Sunday, the water show starts at 9 a.m., with the air show kicking off around 11 a.m. along the lakefront, though the show is best viewed around North Avenue Beach. Admission is free.

With Chicago's magnificent skyline as a backdrop, the Chicago Air & Water Show promises to be like no other.