What summer attraction managed to draw around two million people for a weekend of entertainment? No, the answer is not Lollapalooza, but the Chicago Air and Water Show. The event took place Aug. 18 and 19, with two identical shows at (above) North Avenue Beach.

The show has followed a pretty formulaic approach in the past and this year was no exception. It comprised of around half a dozen performances by different aircraft. These ranged from stunt planes, to large military jets passing by the lakefront, to the famed Blue Angels. However, like most entertainment, the spectacular moments were saved for the end. The more mundane acts (parachutists, small aircraft and so on) were in the morning.

The Blue Angels weren’t the only modern aircraft to be seen. Other types of military planes are featured. The heritage flight, which features aircraft from different time periods of American military history, is one such performance. The different planes fly together across the water in a tribute to the United States Air Force.

The real treat of the show was the Blue Angels. Before they appeared, the beach felt like a concert venue minutes before the headliner’s performance. There was little action in the sky, but the crowd was vibrating in anticipation. Finally they appeared, flying in from the east over Lake Michigan. Immediately, they illustrated what is so incredible about viewing an air show in Chicago. The fighters flew over the water along the shoreline. After they flew past us they turned, flying behind the crowds and over the Chicago skyline. Bright blue jets shot across the cityscape, at times creating the illusion that they were traveling between skyscrapers.

The Angel’s stunts were at least as breathtaking. In one trick, two planes flew across the lake front, one coming from either side of the crowd. As they flew towards each other, it appeared as if they were about to collide. At the last second, each plane flipped sideways, with one wing pointing upwards and the other towards the ground, missing each other by inches.

All in all, there is no experience quite like the Air and Water Show. The finale is what really makes the show worthwhile. If you missed it this year you should definitely plan on going next year.