Gazette, The (Colorado Springs) - Academy graduation tickets in high demand

The hottest ticket in Colorado Springs apparently is to the Air Force Academy graduation Wednesday.

The Chamber of Commerce, which is handling distribution of 3,000 free reserved-seating tickets for the public, gave out nearly half of them by Wednesday afternoon.

A maximum of four tickets per person is available on a first- come, first-served basis, and tickets must be picked up in person. The chamber will not mail tickets or take reservations by phone.

Cadets receive tickets for their families, but they’ve been getting more from the chamber.

“Some of the cadets came in and got tickets for their friends,” said Winnie Burris, a chamber employee handling the tickets.

Tickets are available only at the chamber office, 2 N. Cascade Ave., Suite 110, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Commencement speakers are Secretary of the Air Force James Roche and Chief of Staff Gen. John Jumper.

Falcon Stadium gates will open at 8 a.m. Graduates will enter at 11 a.m. No public admission will be allowed after 11 a.m. until the Thunder- birds’ demonstration is completed about 1:45 p.m.

Security will be tight, and metal detectors will be used. No backpacks, coolers or bags will be allowed. Purses and diaper bags will be searched.

Strollers are not allowed. Child car seats are permitted only if there is a separate ticket for the infant who occupies the seat.

General ticket holders will not be able to attend the graduation ceremony if it’s moved indoors because of weather or heightened security.

The Santa Fe Trail will be closed, and bicycles will not be allowed on academy roadways from 5 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 27 and 28.

To ensure compliance with Federal Aviation Administration regulations, no one will be allowed in parked cars or to drive or walk within the parking area during the flyover.

Those attending the graduation ceremony and entering through the academy’s north gate will be parked north of the stadium in Lots 5 and 5A, off Academy Drive. Vehicles entering at the south gate will be parked south of the stadium in Lots 1 and 2. Disabled parking will be at the top of Lot 2, outside Gate 3 and at the top of Lot 5.

Personnel living on the academy are urged to use Douglass Drive to Road 402, which enters the west side of Falcon Stadium to Lot 1.

Many roads and parking areas on the academy grounds will be off- limits and others reserved for graduates only on graduation day and during graduation-related events next week.

All visitor parking during graduation week is in the cadet field house parking areas. Shuttle buses will be provided from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. to all major events in the cadet area. No shuttle buses will run on graduation day.

Get further information on the academy graduation at www.usafa.af.mil or call(719) 333-4723.

ACADEMY GRADUATION EVENTS

Events open to the public: 7:30 p.m. today, Saturday, Sunday - Bluebards Cadet Theatre Performances, Arnold Hall

SATURDAY 8 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. - Baccalaureate services, Cadet Chapel

SUNDAY 4 p.m. - Show Choir Musical Review, Arnold Hall

MONDAY 8 a.m. - Curtis Tapping/CAP Award (recognizes fall and spring wing commanders and top cadet who was in Civil Air Patrol in high school), Arnold Hall

10 a.m. - Memorial Day wreath-laying ceremony, organizational awards and parade, Stillman Field

1:30 p.m. - Individual/athletic awards ceremony, Clune Arena

4:30 p.m. - Gospel Choir Concert, Cadet Chapel

8 p.m. - Cadet Chorale Concert, Arnold Hall

TUESDAY 8 a.m. - 100-Year Honor Roll Tapping Ceremony, Harmon Hall

10 a.m. - Graduation Parade, Stillman Parade Field

WEDNESDAY 11 a.m. - 45th graduation, Falcon Stadium