If you were planning on attending the 2016 version of Rockford Airfest 2016, it has been cancelled. Here's why.

 

The Chicago Rockford International Airport has canceled the 2016 Rockford AirFest due to scheduling conflicts with the Defense Department and F-22 jet teams.

According to MYSTATELINE.COM, “We had successfully scheduled the U.S. jet teams to be in Rockford the first weekend in June, said Mike Dunn, Executive Director of the Chicago Rockford International Airport in a news release.  “We then learned the DOD was rescheduling the main military flying teams to participate in academy week, a time of year when the Defense Department and the military honor graduating seniors from the military academies.”

 

Justin Sullivan, Getty Images
Justin Sullivan, Getty Images
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Mike Dunn also told WTVO/WQRF TV "RFD was then offered Memorial Day weekend as an option, but that they did not want to compete with the Young at Heart Festival in Loves Park".

Finally another date the third weekend in June was scrapped when the headline F-22 Raptor was removed from consideration for Rockford.

Fear not Rockford because Rockford Airport has already begun planning for and hosting Rockford AirFest in 2017.

Even though we're bumped out about this year, it is completely understandable that without the Military War Birds, the air show would not live up to the quality we expect.

See you next year.

 

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