Rockford Airport finally announced their lineup for the 2011 AirFest airshow, taking place June 4th and 5th. The theme of the show this year is 'Honoring Heros,' to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of Naval Aviation. In keeping with the themes, the headlining act will be the U.S. Navy Blue Angels and will mark their first performance at Rockford's AirFest since 2007.
There are currently 14 performers scheduled, both military and civilian. Along with the Blue Angels, the U.S. Navy's Leap Frogs Parachute Team and F-18 Super Hornet Demonstration Team will be on hand as well. The U.S. Air Force is sending the F-15 Strike Eagle Demonstration Team and the Army is providing the Golden Knights Parachute Team. The show has been classed as a Centennial of Naval Aviation Tier 1 event, which can help in attracting additional performers and static displays. Only 32 airshows across the country have received the Tier 1 designation.
Some of the civilian performers currently lined up for the show are Sean D. Tucker and Dave Dacy, among many others.
“Our goal is to make each AirFest bigger and uniquely better than the last so it remains the premier family-friendly event for the entire region, and the AirFest 2011 lineup does just that!” said Bob O’Brien, executive director of Chicago Rockford International Airport. “With the Blue Angels returning for the first time since 2007, and a great mix of other acts, this is bound to be an exciting show for the tens of thousands in attendance.”
The 2010 Air Show drew over 90,000 attendees during it's two day run and Rockford representatives expect an equal or larger number this year. Unlike the Chicago Air and Water Show, Airfest is held on airport property and provides those in attendance a chance to walk amongst aircraft on static display. Some aircraft are even open to the public to walk through and observe the inside.
For this years show, there are currently over 30 aircraft scheduled to be on static display with additional invitations still pending. Some of the static displays will be 4 (four) F-18 aircraft, in a variety of paint schemes, including the 'Aggressor' to resemble a Russian Su-27 Flanker jet and the 'Hellcat' to honor the Navy Grumman F-6 Hellcats of World War II. In addition, there will be 2 (two) F-16's, a KC-135 tanker, multiple training jets, helicopters and possibly the U-2 spyplane. On the civilian side, there will be a Fed-Ex DC-10, Delta 757-200 and an American Airlines B737-800 among multiple other aircraft.
There will also be a play area for children as well as concessions and display booths.
In addition, it was announced this morning that the U.S. Marine Corp Silent Drill Platoon will also make an appearance at Airfest. They are considered by most as 'the' model of military precision. Also, those in attendance will notice a familiar voice at the announcers position, Herb Hunter, a retired military and civilian pilot who has voiced the Chicago Air and Water Show and AirFest in the past.
Also, for the 'Honoring Heros' theme, area residents are asked to nomite a “Hero” by submitted a story of someone from the local area who has served the community in a special way. The site states 'A Hero can be anyone: the men and women who have served and are serving in our military, a teacher that has helped mold our young people, a community volunteer, etc.' The nomination story can be emailed here.
Tickets are currently available at a discount until April 1st. Adult tickets are available for $7.50 and will go up to $10, while youth tickets (age 5-12) are currently $4, rising to $5 April 1st. Kids 4 and under are free. The gate prices for adults that days of the show are $15, youth remain at $5. There are packages available as well.
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