Air Show Makes Return in Rockford

A Rockford air show that was called off last year due to federal budget cuts is back on the schedule for 2014.

Chicago Rockford International Airport said Monday that Rockford Airfest 2014 will be June 7-8 at the airport.

The show will feature the U.S. Air Force's Thunderbirds and the Army's Golden Knights parachute team.

Last year's show was called off after the budget cuts led the Defense Department to halt all aerial demonstrations.

Organizers say the 2012 version of the Rockford air show drew 100,000 people.

In Chicago, the Thunderbirds bowed out of the 2013 Air & Water Show because of the sequestration battle that pulled billions from the federal budget.

"Due to the impact of sequestration, all participation in air shows and flyovers after April 1 have been canceled," said Maj. Darrick Lee, spokesman for the Air Force Thunderbirds. "We’re still hoping to be flying again in the future, and we’re going to be ready when that time comes. But it’s just looking like that’s not going to happen in the 2013 season."

Even with the changes, officials said an estimated 1.7 million people came out to the city to watch the show.