This Year’s Headliner is Classified F-22 Raptor
ROCKFORD, IL — Rockford AirFest 2009 soars into the Chicago/Rockford International Airport Saturday and Sunday, August 22-23, with thrilling performers and extensive static displays. This year’s headliner is the F-22 Demonstration Team, which will showcase an aircraft so highly classified that less than 100 people in the entire Midwest have likely ever seen one. Another F-22 will be on static display under armed guard, so spectators will have the opportunity to take pictures of this classified aircraft. Rockford was selected as one of only six air shows in the world in which the F-22 Demonstration Team will perform as the featured act this year.
AirFest 2009 Details:
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, August 22-23
Where: Chicago/Rockford International Airport, 60 Airport Drive, Rockford
Cost: $15/adults and $5/children 6-12 per day at the gate on the day of the performances. Kids 5 and younger admitted free.
Adult advance sale tickets: 33% off the gate admission price until August 22
Kids advance sale tickets: 40% off the gate admission price until August 22
Guests can also purchase “Official AirFest 2009 T-shirts” at advance sale prices by visiting the Airport Terminal Building and/or Administration Building from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday while supplies last.
AirFest 2009 will also feature performances by (click on link for additional background on the performers and/or aircraft):
* United States Navy “Leap Frog” Parachute Demonstration Team
http://www.leapfrogs.navy.mil/
* B-2 “Spirit” Bomber
http://www.af.mil/information/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=82
* F-18 Navy “Hornet” Demonstration Team
http://www.boeing.com/defense-space/military/fa18/index.htm
* Aerostar’s Flight Team
http://www.teamaerostar.com/
* The Firebird’s “Delta” Team
http://www.firebirdairshows.com/index2.html
* The vertical take-off AV-8 “Harrier”
http://www.nallsaviation.com/
* Sean D Tucker
http://www.oracle.com/teamoracle/index.html
* Bill Stein
http://www.billsteinairshows.com/
* Dave Dacy “wing walkers”
http://www.airshows.com/dacy/
* The “Collaborators”
http://www.tutimaacademy.com/collaborators.html
* US Air Force “Heritage Flight”
http://www.acc.af.mil/aerialevents/heritageflight/index.asp
* US Navy “Legacy Flight”
http://www.navylegacyflight.org/history.shtml
In addition, the following static display aircraft types are anticipated to be in attendance:
E-3C Sentry “AWACS”
E-2C Hawkeye
C-2 COD
KC-135R Stratotanker
KC-10 Tanker
C-5 Galaxy
UH-60 Blackhawk Helicopter
CH-47 Chinook Helicopter
B-1B Lancer Bomber
T-38 Talon
T-33 Shooting Star
T-45 Goshawk
P-3 Orion Sub Hunter
F-18 Hornet
F-15 Eagle
F-16 Fighting Falcon
Kaney Boeing 737-300
A-10 Warthog
E-6A Mercury
C-130 Hercules
E-4 Doomsday Plane
BAC 167Strikemaster
DC-3
T- 33 Shooting Star
T-28 Trojan
L-39 Albatros
UH-1 Medevac Helicopter
Airbus A-300
OH-V1 Mohawk
L.E.A.C. Helicopter
American Eagle ERJ-145
L-3 Grasshopper
L-4 Grasshopper
American Airlines Boeing 737-800
Last, but certainly not least, is one of the most talked about performances: Rich’s Incredible Pyro, which is known to leave spectators speechless and in awe. Chicago/Rockford International Airport Executive Director Bob O’Brien, who has attended over 20 annual air shows, said of the act, “If you’ve ever seen this performance, you truly know that the price of admission is covered by this act alone.”
For more information on T-shirt prices, ticket packages and the most up-to-date performer and static aircraft information, visit www.flyrfd.com/airfest.html.
Rockford, IL, is located approximately 60 minutes west of Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport off Interstate 90. For information on accommodations and things to do, visit www.gorockford.com. RACVB is a private, non-profit organization established in 1984 to champion efforts to promote the Rockford Region as an overnight visitor destination. The RACVB generates positive economic impact for our community through investments in tourism.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Mika Doyle, RACVB Communications Coordinator: 815.489.1678, mdoyle@gorockford.com
Bob O’Brien, Chicago/Rockford International Airport Executive Director: 815.969.4444; bob@flyrfd.com
