Graduation tickets available Thursday

  • Published
  • By 020513
U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. --  Approximately 500 free, reserved-seat tickets for the Academy's Class of 2013 Graduation Ceremony will be available beginning 8 a.m. Thursday, May 16, 2013, through the Colorado Springs Regional Business Alliance and the Tri-Lakes Chamber of Commerce.

Tickets must be picked up in person between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. at the Business Alliance offices at 102 S. Tejon Street, Suite 430, in Colorado Springs, or between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. at the Tri-Lakes Chamber of Commerce offices, at 300 Colorado Highway 105 in Monument. A maximum of four tickets per person are available on a first-come, first-served basis. The Business Alliance cannot mail tickets or accept telephone reservations, and there will be no will-call. Lost tickets cannot be replaced.

The ceremony begins at 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 29, 2012, in Falcon Stadium and will include a commencement speech by the Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. Donley.

Falcon Stadium gates open at 7:30 a.m. on graduation day and ticket holders are encouraged to arrive no later than 8:30 a.m. Traffic will be heavy entering the base and stringent security measures will be in effect. Stadium security staff will check tickets, IDs, and hand-carried items and attendees will be scanned by airport-style metal detectors. No boxes, alcohol, weapons, firecrackers, backpacks, large handbags, coolers, thermoses, beverage containers of any sort or similar items will be allowed in the stadium. Food and drink are prohibited with the exception of clear, unopened water bottles and medically necessary items with a doctor's order. Refreshments will be available from vendors throughout the stadium.

Cameras, video cameras and binoculars are permitted; however, please be prepared to remove camera lenses for security inspection at the stadium gates. Diaper bags will be allowed when a child is present; no strollers please. Standard sized umbrellas are allowed; you may be asked to present them for inspection at the gates.

Once the ceremony begins at 10 a.m., guests may not leave the stadium until after the end of the ceremony at about 12:30 p.m. Following the ceremony, military heritage aircraft will perform flyovers at the stadium in honor of the graduating class.

The Air Force Academy graduation ceremony is conducted in an outdoor stadium and extensive walking and stair climbing may be necessary. Guests should be prepared for any kind of weather; there is no indoor seating for the ceremony. Medical staff will be available for individuals who may experience illness or other medical emergencies.

Handicapped and wheelchair seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis and is located at the top of Sections U-2, U-5, U-9, U-12, M-2, M-6, M-10 and M-14. The entire top row of Sections L-2 through L-14 is reserved for handicapped guests. Note that there are no elevators in the stadium but handicapped seating may be accessed without requirement to walk stairs. Golf carts will be available to transport handicapped guests from the parking areas to the stadium.

If the graduation ceremony should have to be moved indoors because of dangerous weather or heightened security, general public ticket holders may not attend.
Uniform for the Graduation Ceremony for military is service dress with flight or service cap. Civilian dress is business suit or coat and tie.

For more information on the Academy Graduation, visit http://www.usafa.edu/superintendent/graduation or call the graduation hotline at (719) 333-4723.
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