Rhymefest's parachute jump kicks off Chicago Air and Water Show

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

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.

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

1 of 28

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

2 of 28

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

3 of 28

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

4 of 28

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

5 of 28

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

6 of 28

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

7 of 28

8 of 28

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

9 of 28

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

10 of 28

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

11 of 28

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

12 of 28

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

13 of 28

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

14 of 28

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

15 of 28

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

16 of 28

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

17 of 28

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

18 of 28

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

19 of 28

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

20 of 28

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

21 of 28

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

22 of 28

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

23 of 28

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

24 of 28

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

25 of 28

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

26 of 28

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

27 of 28

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

28 of 28

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.