Look, up in the sky!

ROCKFORD – When travelers go from the Sauk Valley to Rockford, normally they look at the Rock River along state Route 2, or the pavement and flatness of the tollway. Most of them aren’t looking up.

On Saturday and Sunday, it will pay to look up, as military and civilian aircraft converge on Chicago Rockford International Airport for Rockford AirFest.

The Thunderbirds, the Air Force air demonstration squadron, are expected. They will perform precision maneuvers, so the audience sees a range of formation flying and solo routines. This group performs 88 or more air demonstrations every year.

Other groups taking to the air include the military Army Golden Knights parachute team, the Navy F/A-18 super hornet demonstration team and the Marine Corps AV-8B harrier demonstration team. Among the civilians giving demonstrations are the Lima Lima Flight Team, Lucas Oil Air Show, Pyrotechnics by the Tora Tora Tora Bomb Squad, Aerostars Aerobatic Team and several air shows.

The Golden Knights have been around since 1959, but were recognized officially in 1961 by the Army. They demonstrate their up-in-the-air tandems.

The Navy’s hornets are carrier-based fighter aircrafts, and the harriers from the Marine Corps are tactical strike aircraft, known for their short takeoff and vertical landings.

Performances begin at 11 a.m., weather permitting. The gates open at 9 a.m. and close at 5 p.m. both days.

Along with the active demonstrations, there will be a number of stationary displays. Among those are the Tuskegee Airmen PA-28 Cherokee, UPS Airbus A-300F, MetLife Blimp “Snoopy 2,” Cessna Caravan; F-4 Phantom, F/A-18 Super Hornet, A-10 Thunderbolt, and MH-53 Sea Dragon helicopter.

It’s suggested visitors bring their own lawn chairs for seating, and if the kids are going along, look for the kids’ fun area with its inflatable rides.

Military personnel and veterans will be admitted at no charge Saturday. They should check with the box office the day of the show. A copy of military ID or DD124 discharge orders with a photo ID are needed for service members and dependents. Complimentary tickets are not available online.

This is one-day trip for which travelers can leave a good portion of the driving to someone else.