Hundreds of thousands of aerial onlookers made their way to the lakefront Saturday for the 60th annual Chicago Air & Water Show.

The summer spectacle kicked off at 10 a.m. with a parachute mission by the U.S. Army Golden Knights — who brought along Chicago rapper Che “Rhymefest” Smith for the ride — and the Navy Leap Frogs.

MORE: Everything you need to know about the Air and Water Show 2018

After landing, an inspired Rhymefest spoke about his venture from the skies to North Avenue Beach.

“Young people everywhere around Chicago should learn how to do this,” Rhymefest said. “I really think living like this will create more ideas and will [promote] a lot of positive behaviors,” he continued, asking one Golden Knight to speak to South Side youngsters.

Grid View The firebirds perform Saturday at the Air & Water Show. | Colin Boyle/Sun-Times

U.S. Navy Leap Frogs perform Saturday at the Air & Water Show. | Colin Boyle/Sun-Times

Rhymefest lands after his tandem jump with the U.S. Army Golden Knights. | Colin Boyle/Sun-Times

U.S. Navy Leap Frogs perform Saturday at the Air & Water Show. | Colin Boyle/Sun-Times

The Thunderbirds at the 60th Chicago Air & Water Show. | Colin Boyle/Sun-Times

An F-35A at the 60th Chicago Air & Water Show. | Colin Boyle/Sun-Times

Spectators at the 60th Chicago Air & Water Show. | Colin Boyle/Sun-Times



Rhymefest lands after his tandem jump with the U.S. Army Golden Knights. | Colin Boyle/Sun-Times

Matt Chapman of Embry Riddle performs Saturday at the Air & Water Show. | Colin Boyle/Sun-Times

Team Oracle and Sean D. Tucker perform Saturday at the Chicago Air & Water Show. | Colin Boyle/Sun-Times

Team Oracle and Sean D. Tucker perform Saturday at the Chicago Air & Water Show. | Colin Boyle/Sun-Times

A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter crew simulates a water rescue Saturday at the Air & Water Show. | Colin Boyle/Sun-Times

An A-10 Warthog makes a pass Saturday at the Air & Water Show. | Colin Boyle/Sun-Times

A KC-135 Stratotanker demonstrates a mid-air refueling Saturday at the Air & Water Show. | Colin Boyle/Sun-Times

The Firebirds at the 60th Chicago Air & Water Show. | Colin Boyle/Sun-Times

Susan Dacy performs at the 60th Chicago Air & Water Show. | Colin Boyle/Sun-Times

CPD Marine Unit at the 60th Chicago Air & Water Show. | Colin Boyle/Sun-Times

Firebird Delta Team at the 60th Chicago Air & Water Show. | Colin Boyle/Sun-Times

An F-35A at the 60th Chicago Air & Water Show. | Colin Boyle/Sun-Times

An F-35A at the 60th Chicago Air & Water Show. | Colin Boyle/Sun-Times

AeroShell Aerobatic Team at the 60th Chicago Air & Water Show. | Colin Boyle/Sun-Times

AeroShell Aerobatic Team at the 60th Chicago Air & Water Show. | Colin Boyle/Sun-Times

Spectators at the 60th Chicago Air & Water Show. | Colin Boyle/Sun-Times

Navy Leap Frog at the 60th Chicago Air & Water Show. | Colin Boyle/Sun-Times

Army Golden Knights at the 60th Chicago Air & Water Show. | Colin Boyle/Sun-Times

The Thunderbirds at the 60th Chicago Air & Water Show. | Colin Boyle/Sun-Times

The Thunderbirds at the 60th Chicago Air & Water Show. | Colin Boyle/Sun-Times

Dozens of jaw-dropping displays by military and civilian aircrews, along with water rescue demonstrations by the U.S. Coast Guard, took place for five partly sunny hours.

Air & Water Show veteran Sean D. Tucker performed one of his last solo shows, flying in his custom Oracle Challenger III that will be donated to the Smithsonian National and Space Museum in 2021.

Prior to a headlining performance by the Air Force Thunderbirds, the Golden Knights commemorated fallen Chicago Police Cmdr. Paul Bauer by presenting a “Blue Line Flag” and a baton to Bauer’s family and colleagues.

Grid View Army Golden Knights commemorate fallen CPD Cmdr. Bauer. | Colin Boyle/Sun-Times

Army Golden Knights commemorate fallen CPD Cmdr. Bauer. | Colin Boyle/Sun-Times

Army Golden Knights commemorate fallen CPD Cmdr. Bauer. | Colin Boyle/Sun-Times

Army Golden Knights commemorate fallen CPD Cmdr. Bauer. | Colin Boyle/Sun-Times

Army Golden Knights commemorate fallen CPD Cmdr. Bauer. | Colin Boyle/Sun-Times

Army Golden Knights commemorate fallen CPD Cmdr. Bauer. | Colin Boyle/Sun-Times

Army Golden Knights commemorate fallen CPD Cmdr. Bauer. | Colin Boyle/Sun-Times

The day wrapped up with a thunderous performance by the ‘Birds, as six F-16D jets soared and maneuvered around the city.

The skyward celebration continues on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

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