Graduation tickets available Wednesday

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  • By 010512
U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. --  Approximately 500 free, reserved-seat tickets for the Academy's Class of 2012 Graduation Ceremony will be available beginning 8 a.m. Wednesday, May 9, 2012, through the Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce.

The ceremony starts at 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 23, 2012, and will include a commencement speech by President of the United States Barack Obama.

Tickets must be picked up in person between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. at the Chamber offices at 6 S. Tejon Street, Suite 700, in Colorado Springs. A maximum of four tickets per person are available on a first-come, first-served basis. The Chamber cannot mail tickets or accept telephone reservations, and there will be no will-call. Lost tickets cannot be replaced.

Tickets may also be picked up from the Athletic Ticket Office in the Falcon Athletic Center near Clune Arena beginning Thursday, May 10. The Ticket Office is open from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Non-DOD ID cardholders may access the Academy using the North Gate.

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., no one is allowed to leave the stadium until after the end of the Thunderbirds' performance at about 1:30 p.m. To ensure compliance with Federal Aviation Administration regulations, no one will be allowed in parked cars or driving or walking within the performance area.

No tailgating parties are permitted before the graduation ceremony or after the Thunderbirds' demonstration. RVs or vans may be parked in the parking lots, but no open fires or charcoal/wood grills are permitted.

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.

For more information on the Academy Graduation, visit the graduation website or call the graduation hotline at (719) 333-4723.

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