AirFest gains 4 military performers

BusinessRockford.com Staff Reports

The record number of performers at AirFest 2009 just got bigger.

The event, on Aug. 22 and 23 at Chicago Rockford International Airport, added four additional military performers, bringing the total number of acts to 18.

Now performing are a B-1B Lancer supersonic bomber, a UH-64 Apache helicopter, a KC-135 Stratotanker refueling aircraft and a C-130 Hercules transport aircraft.

The B-1B Lancer will also be on static display, as will a U.S. Navy airborne command post E-6 Mercury, the same kind of aircraft used in the movie “Air Force One.” In total, nearly 40 military, commercial, civilian and war bird aircraft will be on static display.

Previously announced performers include a rarely seen F-22A Raptor fighter jet, the AV-8 Harrier II (the so-called “Harrier jump jet”) and numerous civilian and military acts.

Tickets are $15 for adults, $5 for children 6 to 12 and free for children younger than 6 at the gate on the day of the performances. Tickets also may be bought and downloaded online at flyrfd.com/airfest_tickets.html for a $2 convenience fee per ticket.