Chicago Highlights - August 2010

Summer Heats Up in Chicago!

The hot summer days in August are upon us, so how about some refreshing activities? The Air & Water Show is something Chicagoans look forward to each year, with incredible acts in the air and on the water. Cool off by taking a sailboat ride on Lake Michigan, sure to be both relaxing and invigorating. For a really good time, check out the music, food and special ethnic activities at one of the city’s many cultural festivals. Learn more about each of these events.

Chicago Air & Water Show 2010

This year’s Chicago Air & Water Show is taking place August 14 & 15; this free event, featuring both military and civilian groups, will amaze and inspire you and your family.

The show will be held from 11am until 4pm each day at the North Avenue Beach, with primary viewing extending from Fullerton to Oak Street. If you want to avoid the crowds at North Avenue Beach, you can catch the action in the air from several other vantage points, almost anywhere along the lakefront. Another great way to enjoy the show is from one of Chicago’s many Sightseeing Boats, such as Odyssey, Spirit of Chicago and Red Witch. Also, note that the teams practice will occur on Friday, August 13 and, throughout the day, you may be able to catch a glimpse or two what’s in store for the weekend’s show.

Highlights include:

• The U.S. Navy Blue Angels - an elite group of Navy pilots, expert in formation and precision flying, as well as choreographed aerobatics.
• The U.S. Army Parachute Team Golden Knights – a team that will parachute from a height of 12,500 feet, traveling at over 120 mph, to the amazement of those awaiting them on the ground.
• The U.S. Navy Parachute Leap Frogs – this team, jumping from similar heights, will awe the audience with their formations.

This is the 52nd annual Chicago Air & Water Show, the oldest free exhibition in the U.S., testament to its popularity and quality. It is one of the premier summer events for Chicago and typically draws over 2 million fans.

Sailing Lake Michigan

Chicago’s lakefront is one of the city’s most beautiful assets and one way to take full advantage of Lake Michigan’s magnificence is by sailing. Whether you’re a seasoned sailor, a novice or have no experience at all, Chicago offers several options for you to enjoy this exhilarating activity.

One popular option is to charter a private sailboat. Let an experienced captain take the helm while you sit back and enjoy the ride. View the city’s skyline, experience a sunrise, sunset or moonrise, celebrate a special event, take a swim in Lake Michigan, watch the city’s Wednesday or Saturday night fireworks, and maybe even spend the night aboard the sailboat. These are just a few of the possibilities aboard a chartered sailboat, which typically will accommodate 1-6 passengers (overnight stays may be more limited). Here are several to choose from:

• Go Sailing Chicago offers private charters aboard Westwind, their Catalina 36 sailboat. Location: Chicago Yacht Club.
• Windy City Sailing offers private charters aboard Nebula, a 40-foot Beneteau 393 sailboat. Location: North end of Belmont Harbor.
• Chicago Sailboat Charters has two sailboats to choose from. Verloren is a 39-foot cruiser and Lost is a 31-foot cruiser. Location: North end of Belmont Harbor.
• Come Sailing offers private charters aboard Bernard, a Catalina 36 Mark II sailboat. Location: Monroe Harbor.
• Lakeshore Sail Charters offers private charters aboard Crescendo, a 36-foot Beneteau 361 sailboat. Location: Burnham Harbor.
• Chicago Sailing has a several sailboats to choose from and, in addition to private charters, experienced sailors can rent one of their 24 sailboats, ranging in size from 22 to 53 feet. They also offer sailing lessons for every skill level. Location: North end of Belmont Harbor.

Another sailing option is a non-private sail aboard one of Chicago’s tall ships:

• Red Witch, a 77-foot topsail schooner, accommodates up to 49 passengers and features 2-hour day sails, happy hour sails, and 3-hour fireworks cruises. Location: Burnham Harbor.
• Windy, a 148-foot topsail schooner, accommodates up to 150 passengers and features a number of themed sails (such as pirates, architecture and history). Location: Navy Pier.

And yet another option: Chicago residents and visitors are getting a special treat in August. This year’s Tall Ships Challenge through the Great Lakes is winding down and will conclude in Chicago at Navy Pier, with festivities spanning August 24-29. This race of tall ships has been to Toronto, Cleveland, Bay City Michigan, Duluth and Green Bay; Chicago will celebrate the finale.

The north side of Navy Pier will be transformed into “Nautical Mile” to accommodate tall ships from the U.S., Canada, Germany and the Netherlands. To enter the festival grounds at Nautical Mile, you will need a viewing admission ticket (adults $15, children $9). To enter the festival grounds and tour the ships, you will need a dockside boarding admission ticket (adults $20, children $15). To take a 60- or 90-minute sail aboard one of the tall ships, you will need a sail-away ticket (adults and children $44/$54). You can even book a seat on one of the tall ships for the opening Parade of Sail ($189). All of these tickets can be purchased online.

Navy Pier’s Grand Ballroom and the East End Plaza will host various entertainers on three different stages:

• Nautical Mile Stage – nautical-themed performances
• Children’s Village Stage – special kid-friendly entertainment
• World Stage – ethnic influenced dance and musical performances

Take advantage of this special event – next year’s challenge moves to the Pacific Coast!

International Fests

Chicago’s summer festivals continue into August and, this month, we’ll highlight a few of the city’s ethnic celebrations. These festivals range from Italian to Cuban, from Japanese to Croatian. They all present very unique elements that make each a special treat. Whether you like the cuisines, the music or crafts, there is something for everyone to experience and gain a more personal experience of these culture.

See our list below for the August fests which Chicago has to offer:

• August 6-8: Taylor Street Festa Italiana
  The Little Italy community at Taylor Street and Ashland Avenue will celebrate its heritage with live entertainment, food from the Little Italy restaurants, Italian merchandise and special activities for the kids.
• August 7-8: Festival Cubano
  This is the debut Festival Cubano, which will feature Cuban music, dance, cuisine, kids’ events and the honoring of Cuban heroes. True to the culture, there will be chess and dominos tournaments. Special guests include grammy winner, Albita, and Rey Ruiz. This festival will be held at Riis Park located at Fullerton and Narraganett.
• August 13-15: Ginza Holiday Festival
  The Midwest Buddha Temple will host the 55th edition of this Japanese festival, which will feature live musical and dance performances, martial arts demonstrations, a number of cultural exhibits and activities and, of course, Japanese cuisine. The Temple is located at 435 W. Menomonee Street in Chicago’s Old Town neighborhood.
• August 15: Croatian Fest
  The Velika Gospa is a Croatian festival honoring the “Great Lady Mary”. This event will be held at St. Jerome’s Parish located at 2823 S. Princeton Avenue. Enjoy music and entertainment, food, beverages, games, merchandise and a raffle; end the day with a fireworks show. The church will hold several masses throughout the day.

An ethnic festival is the perfect way to learn more about the various cultures that make up our diverse city!

For many other August events, see our Chicago Events Calendar.

Chicago Highlights is a publication of Chicago Traveler. For more issues, see the Chicago Highlights Archive.