104 replies to this topic

[Deb aka Resume Lady]

We found the show excellent. However, the organizers need a great deal of improvement… The food seems to have run out a little afternoon. None of the on site vendors had enough help nor supplies… There were not enough trash cans for the event by the end trash was blowing around…

Hope the organizers do a better job next time!!!! The Blue Angles & the A-10 were great!!!!

I hope the organizers learn a lesson from all this. Typically air shows are performed on active military bases, and those folks have this down pat. I think the folks who organized this airshow at Mather didn't expect the numbers that attended and just weren't as organized as the military folks are. The military police tend to be excellent at directing traffic. I had hoped that after yesterday's garbage fiasco they would have put out more bins today, but I guess they didn't. I walked around for ten minutes yesterday with garbage, looking for a can.

I'm eager to hear attendance numbers; today's Bee said over 50,000 were at yesterday's event -- a number I assume came from pre-event anticipation. They (Mather? Blue Angels?) were looking to see how successful this event was to determine whether this should be an annual event. I think the numbers proved that there is ample support in the area. Now they need to get their act together to make it a smoother running event.

[Dave Burrell]

I hope the organizers learn a lesson from all this. Typically air shows are performed on active military bases, and those folks have this down pat. I think the folks who organized this airshow at Mather didn't expect the numbers that attended and just weren't as organized as the military folks are. The military police tend to be excellent at directing traffic. I had hoped that after yesterday's garbage fiasco they would have put out more bins today, but I guess they didn't. I walked around for ten minutes yesterday with garbage, looking for a can.

I'm eager to hear attendance numbers; today's Bee said over 50,000 were at yesterday's event -- a number I assume came from pre-event anticipation. They (Mather? Blue Angels?) were looking to see how successful this event was to determine whether this should be an annual event. I think the numbers proved that there is ample support in the area. Now they need to get their act together to make it a smoother running event.

I hope it becomes an annual event. It was really good.

For improvements they need to plan with the police better and advertise that its suggested people use the light rail. (had I known I woulda done that) Next, they need to make more then one gate entrance - along with better organizing the scanning of tix purchased online. Next ,and a mega important one - DOUBLE the amount of vendors of food and drink and more porta potties! It took about 20-30 minutes to get thru any line.

We lucked out getting out of there, I parked off mathers near industrial (or something) and we walked to the show - best part... I got home in around 10 minutes.

I hope they're here again next year

[john]

I heard 100,000 yesterday, 80,000 today. (Traffic yesterday may have scared off quite a few)

We took light rail - got up to make the 9am train from historic Folsom - found out that train starts at 10 on Sundays! (memo to organizers, you probably better get RT to have a special train on that weekend) So we scurried over to Sunrise. Hopped on a half-full car and then proceeded to a bus. They had 4-5 buses waiting, and we then got a police escort to the field! That was pretty cool.

The show itself was awesome. That display with the Warthog bombing the field was simply breathtaking! Blue Angels did not disappoint. They snuck up on us a few times, I knew they would! It was a long day but fortunately we were prepared with water, food, chairs, sunblock, long sleeve clothing.

I heard they ran out of food. They were selling hot dogs without buns... sodas were out and all that was left was beer. Fortunately we brought our own food but the crowds were simply not handled well. No aisles for anything. If they had actually enforced their "no outside food" rule at the beginning of the day, they probably would have had a riot on their hands.

We got stuck just trying to get OUT of the fenced in field. People were hopping the 8' fence, a few people almost got in to fights as people cut in lines. People seemed to police themselves (luckily) but there were NO organizers to be found. The bus lines were huge, but we managed to get on the first caravan (12 or so buses) out, which, predictably was a cattle car. Same with light rail. Probably took us 90 minutes to get out of there, but we were expecting it so it isn't quite as bad.

Bottom line, it was obviously WAY more than they anticipated as far as turnout. They needed far more staff to handle this. More police, more food, more organization. We *will* go next year but we expect that they better get their act together... we are assuming things will be better organized.

Edited by john, 19 March 2006 - 11:27 PM.

[john]

All I gotta say...





THAT WAS AWESOME!!!!!!

[Deb aka Resume Lady]

All I gotta say...





THAT WAS AWESOME!!!!!!

Yep, and it was HOT, too! I was amazed at how far back in the crowd you could feel that heat.

[Translucent]

I absolutely had a blast, I ended up going both days. Saturday I arrived just only to see the Blue Angles, and after their show, they started closing up the C5, C17 and C130 of which I really wanted to go inside and see. That said I went today, and went inside all of the wonderful planes, really gives me a sense of respect and appreciation for our United States Armed Services. I really enjoyed “Julie” the retired Northwest airline pilot and her acrobatics, along with the A-10 and of course the Blue Angels. I honestly can't recall another time when I have seen that many folks gathered in one location in Sacramento. I used to go to the shows at Mather as a kid, back when Mather was an operational Air Force Base, the turnouts then were huge, but not nearly as many people lived in the Sacramento valley and knew about the shows back then as they do today. The only thing I could complain about was the Food shortage, and rout to the show. But I commend the Sheriffs dept, CHP and Rancho Cordova PD for making things as smooth as possible. I look forward to this event again next year, I wonder would Mc Clellan park be better suited? Although that side of town is a lot more congested than the 50 corridor.

-Ryan

[Deb aka Resume Lady]

We enjoyed Julie Clark as well. We've seen her at other airshows before, but didn't know she's from Cameron Park.

[MSgt]

We went Saturday. Left Folsom at 9:30. Driving W on Hwy 50 and took Bradshaw to Lower placerville. 20 min to get parked, 15 - 20 to get in through the gate. We parked our lawn chairs right on the airfield fence, left them there and walked around. Got a rice bowl and sat down right as the show started. I have to remember next year - sun block. I looked like a clown after I took off my hat and glasses. Almost two hours to get home, over on hour on the tarmak parking ramp with only one wa out. We sat for well over an hour and didn't even move.

Thanks for posting the pics everyone. Mine didn't come out nearly as nice. We had a blast.
That A-10 and the pyro display was absolutely awsome. I had never watched the Blue Angels. I loved it. It was wierd being back on that base since I was stationed there for 6 years. Hardly recognize some of it. The paper said 50,000 on Sat. Seemed like more than that though.

[MSgt]

Dave & John,
You should submit some of your photos to the sac bee. They have a page for Air Show Photo Submission

[john]

Those pics aren't mine... they were in the Bee.

[Deb aka Resume Lady]

The paper said 50,000 on Sat. Seemed like more than that though.

I think the paper went with estimates offered by the organizers prior to the event AND/OR that they only referred to sold tickets, with tons of under-12ers getting in free.

[Chad Vander Veen]

I can't believe how many of you are whining about the parking/traffic. What the heck did you think was going to happen!? You were going to be the only one there?

Maybe instead of chastizing the organizers you complainers should have planned better.

[Deb aka Resume Lady]

I can't believe how many of you are whining about the parking/traffic. What the heck did you think was going to happen!? You were going to be the only one there?

Maybe instead of chastizing the organizers you complainers should have planned better.

The organizers admitted they didn't have this well-planned, and from last night's news it appears that they opened more gates on Sunday and directed traffic better. No, we didn't expect to be the only ones there, and yes, we did anticipate a wait. But we've been to numerous airshows at other venues and never before had a two hour wait to even be able to leave our spot in the parking lot.

[kmwandersee]

I thought that the show was awesome. I actually live one block in from Mather Road and decided to watch from my back yard. I invitied my boyfriend's parents over (Sunday). One of the Blue Angles flew right over our back yard, and looked close enough to touch. It shook our windows and set off car alarms. We loved it!!!

I took some pictures with my SLR camera, and as soon as I get them developed, I'll post the ones that turn out well.

We are lucky enough to watch all the aircrafts practice prior to the show (Friday all day), and I believe that was one of the best days to see them because they got to 'play' a little and flew over our house much more than they did on the weekend.

I know that Mather gets a lot of flack, but I love living there and the flight line does not bother me.

I trust that Mather and the folks that organize the events will learn from this experience and will be better prepared for the next event that is held at Mather.

Civilians are much different that their Military Counterpart. If it were still Mather AFB, I know that it would have been a much more orgainized and precice 'operation', as they would have treated it as such. Civilians, not having that sense of duty or honor, do their best...but it will never be comparable to a Military event.


Regardless of whom is responsible for the event, I for one, am thankful to have seen the A-10 and the Blue Angels fly this past weekend.

Hope to see them return soon!

(Folsom is my hometown and eventually I'll move back...but until then Mather is my home)

[nhardy]

We are lucky enough to watch all the aircrafts practice prior to the show (Friday all day), and I believe that was one of the best days to see them because they got to 'play' a little and flew over our house much more than they did on the weekend.

I also watched them practice Thur and Friday afternoon. I work right off of Zinfandel. After work I drove to the end and parked near an open field. GREAT display.

For those of you who did not like the fact that it was crowded or unorganized, I think you need to lighten up. What exactly did you expect? It's a public event that almost EVERYONE wants to go to. Did you think you were gonna get special VIP treatment? Maybe next year YOU should plan a little better and prepare yourselves.

I'm sure there were people who read this thread that decided not to attend because they were scared off. For those of you who did, sorry you missed it.