Hundreds gather to watch Thunderbirds from the ‘cheap seats’

Just because tickets for the public to see the Air Force Academy graduation were claimed within minutes of being released, that didn’t stop people from catching the air show in the “cheap seats”.

In the parking lot east of I-25 near Hollywood Theaters and the Great Wolf Lodge, hundreds of people gathered early to grab a front row seat to see the show. But don’t let the headline fool you, it was a great spot to see the Thunderbirds.

Air Force Academy 1989 graduate Steve Rolin has been coming to the location for ten to twelve years. “It’s nice to just be able to come over here spend some time with your family and just be able to walk around meet other people and just be able to watch the show,” Rolin says.

Many arrived as early as 7 in the morning to get a good seat, bringing their lawn chairs and blankets to get comfy because they waited hours for the air show.

A lot of viewers have seen the Thunderbirds before. Ava Roethe is one of them. Her advice to new fans, “It is the loudest thing you will ever hear.”

Julia Fedorczuk agrees, saying, “It actually sounds like thunder.”

There was some concern in the crowd when after the Thunderbirds made their first flyover above Falcon stadium. The show didn’t start right away and people were worried it wasn’t going to happen at all. After about ten minutes they flew back to roars of excitement from the crowd.

The 15-minute spectacle was worth the hours of waiting, spectators say.