After several weeks of speculation and uncertainty, the U.S. Navy Blue Angels put out a public statement this weekend officially confirming their appearance at the upcoming National Cherry Festival.

The Blue Angels have been on an operational pause following the June 2 death of Capt. Jeff Kuss, a Blue Angels pilot who crashed while practicing for an air show outside of Nashville. The organization canceled several June shows and was unable to provide an immediate return date for the team to begin flying again, leaving the status of three scheduled Cherry Festival air shows and a rehearsal practice uncertain.

On Saturday, the organization confirmed the Blue Angels would appear in Traverse City in the team's official return to the skies. "We are excited to announced the return to the 2016 demonstration schedule, beginning next weekend in Traverse City, Mich., July 2-4," the Blue Angels posted on their Facebook page. According to a written statement from the organization, the team will fly a modified five-jet formation during the Cherry Festival, along with featuring Fat Albert, the Blue Angels C-130. 

"The team is proud to resume the Blue Angels mission, representing the pride and professionalism of the Navy and Marine Corps, and inspiring a culture of excellence," said Cmdr. Ryan Bernacchi, commanding officer and flight leader. "The Blue Angels are looking forward to flying in Traverse City, Mich., Fourth of July weekend, and are also honored to have the opportunity to perform in celebration of our great nation's Independence Day. Our fans and the entire air show industry have been extremely patient as we have navigated through this very difficult loss of our teammate, and for that, we will always be grateful." 

Cherry Festival Executive Director Trevor Tkach says event organizers are "happy to see Traverse City included as an affirmative" in the Blue Angels' upcoming schedule.

"They had never canceled... but there had been confusion, and we've been getting a lot of calls at the office," says Tkach. "It was good to see them reaffirm their schedule. It's nice to be able to put the public's mind at ease."

The Blue Angels will perform each afternoon July 2, 3 and 4, with a rehearsal practice scheduled for July 1.