CHICAGO (WLS) -- The 50th annual Chicago Air and Water Show has come to an end, and the City of Chicago estimates that 3.1 million people took in the action over the last three days.
Sunday was a great day at the Air and Water Show, and the huge crowds were evidence of the show's success.
The air portion of the show began with a joint sky dive by the Navy Seals Leap Frogs and the U.S. Army Golden Knights parachute team bringing in the flag as the national anthem was heard in the background.
The Navy Seals were impressed by the parachute team's performance.
"This air show is awesome. It's huge. You see people up and down the beach. It's amazing. I've never seen this big of an air show," said Matt Syberg of the Navy Seals.
The 50th annual Chicago Air and Water Show appears to have been the most successful and crowded of them all. Throngs of people stretched out as far as the eye could see.
"This year just seemed so much more amazing. The planes in front of you. It's right there, and then the different maneuvers," fan and spectator Evelyn Fred said.
Also present Sunday were two of the original Tuskegee Airmen.
"We'll come back next year, too and have a good time," said former airman Robert Martin.
Former "Bachelor" star Andy Baldwin, a U.S. Navy Lieutenant, also attended the show to talk to people about careers in naval medicine and humanitarian air.
"The Navy is making a large push forward in making those planned missions to southeast Asia. Right now, one hospital ship is in New Guinea. Another is going to Latin America," Baldwin said.
Like all good things, the Chicago Air and Water 2008 came to an end. Closing the show to great acclaim were, of course, the very popular Blue Angels.
One reason for such high attendance numbers at the show is that the city added a third day last Friday, which is usually a preview day. ABC7 Chicago asked Mayor Daley's office if it would consider making the Friday show permanent. Officials said there were no plans yet to do so, but you never know.
Information from CityofChicago.org
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About Dr. Andy Baldwin
Dr. Andy Baldwin appeared on ABC's hit show, "The Bachelor: Officer & A Gentleman," which aired in 2007. Since then, he has made several television appearances advocating U.S. Navy medicine and his various philanthropic endeavors.
Dr. Andy Baldwin developed a strong drive for success at an early age; he worked three jobs in his hometown of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, was Valedictorian of his high school class, an All-American swimmer, and was the ESPN national scholar/athlete of the year in 1995. After receiving a full Navy ROTC scholarship to Duke University, he chose to attend the prestigious school and pursued a pre-med curriculum. Andy swam as a varsity athlete throughout his undergraduate career and graduated with honors as a student-athlete in 1999 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Commissioned Officer in the United States Navy. Andy pursued his dream of becoming a physician, by enrolling and completing medical school at the University of California- San Francisco School of Medicine. After graduating in 2003, Andy completed a year internship in general surgery at Naval Medical Center San Diego, and went on to serve his operational duty in the Navy as an Undersea Medical Officer. He completed Navy Dive School and Undersea medical training and spent a three-year tour in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii with Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit ONE.
Upon moving to California, Andy took up cycling, and with his past running and swimming prowess was able to put them all together in a sport new to him - triathlon. He completed his first triathlon in 2001 with Team in Training, combining sport and charity for the first time, and finished atop the podium. He was hooked. Andy achieved his childhood dream in 2002 when he qualified for and completed the Ironman Triathlon World Championships in Kailua-Kona, HI in 9 hrs, 53 mins, racing in honor of his Uncle Tom. Andy has since been named to the All-Navy triathlon team five times, been a three-time U.S.A. Triathlon All-American, and competed internationally in numerous Half-Ironman and Ironman events. He is an eight-time Ironman finisher, and believes firmly in the motto "Anything is Possible!"
While stationed in Hawaii, Andy deployed to the Philippines, Thailand, Laos, Singapore, Cambodia, and the Republic of Palau on various diving, recovery and humanitarian missions. For the work Andy did in Laos in 2006 he was named Humanitarian of the Year by both Triathlete and Competitor magazines.
One of Andy's biggest supporters was his uncle Tom, who passed away from pancreatic cancer one month after his diagnosis in 2002. In remembrance of his uncle, Andy established a fund to help raise money for pancreatic research and continues to be supportive of the Pancreatic Cancer network. In 2004, Andy joined Project Active, a non-profit initiative dedicated to diffusing world tensions through promotion of sport in war torn and impoverished countries.
Andy was also the star of ABC's hit show "The Bachelor: Officer and a Gentleman," which aired in 2007. After his television appearances, Andy has become increasingly involved with domestic and global humanitarian projects. In order to help the families of America's fallen heroes, Andy started Got Your Back Network, and has overseen the project through all of its success. Andy recently transferred from Hawaii to Washington, D.C. where he is working as a Navy medicine advocate at the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery. He remains active in his athletic and charitable pursuits.
For more information on Dr. Andy Baldwin, visit his official website or Got Your Back Network.
About Lawson Artist Management, LLC
Lawson Artist Management is a unique, diversified talent management firm founded and led by Mike Lawson, an investment banking executive with a strategic development, marketing, financial and management consulting business background who is also a classical pianist. Lawson Artist Management personally manages both established and emerging recording artists, actors/actresses, screenwriters, directors and executive producers. For more information, visit Lawson Artist Management’s website at www.LawsonArtistManagement.com.