“HOW DO I GET TICKETS?”
Advance Tickets (for general admission and Reserved Seating) can be purchased online from our website.
General admission tickets can also be purchased in person at First State Bank Athens, McDonalds Athens,
Cowboy Headquarters Athens and Elder Dodge Athens. In person ticket sales allow you to purchase an adult
general admission ticket and receive a kids ticket free. General Admission tickets may be purchased at the gate.
Reserved Seating tickets can be purchased at the gate if still available. Visit our Ticket page for more details.
“WHAT IS RESERVED SEATING?”
Reserved seats are set up along the flight line. You will receive a coded wristband that gives you in-out access to
the seating area. Tickets are $50 each and everybody needs a ticket regardless of age. Reserved Seating tickets
are sold on a first-come-first-served-basis Visit our Ticket page for more details. Your Reserved Seating ticket
includes entrance to the Airshow. All people occupying a seat in Reserved Seating must have a ticket regardless
of age.
“CAN I UPGRADE MY GENERAL ADMISSION TICKET TO RESERVED ONCE I GET THERE?”
Yes, if space is available in that area. You may pay the difference in your ticket price to upgrade to the reserved
seating area. Proceed to the Reserved Seating gateway inside the Airshow and present your ticket stub to
purchase the upgraded ticket.
“DO YOU OFFER MILITARY OR SENIOR CITIZEN DISCOUNTS?”
Veterans and military personnel are eligible for free General Admission at the gate only, the day of the show.
Please bring your valid military ID. Family members are required to purchase a ticket. We love our seniors but
there is no discount.
“GENERAL ADMISSION AND RESERVED SEATING PARKING?”
General parking is available for both general admission tickets and Reserved Seating tickets in designated areas.
Look for parking signs.
“HOW MUCH IS PARKING?”
Parking is $5 per car, cash only, upon arriving in the parking area.
“IS THERE HANDICAPPED PARKING?”
Yes. You must have a handicapped plate or tag in the car and make sure the parkers flagging your car are aware
of your handicapped status. They will direct you to the handicapped parking areas. Handicapped parking is
limited and is on a first-come-first-served basis. Please arrive early to ensure a parking spot.
“CAN I GO OUT TO MY CAR AND RE-ENTER THE AIRSHOW?”
Yes, keep your ticket stub and get your hand stamped as you exit.
“CAN I BRING WEAPONS OR FIREARMS TO THE SHOW?”
Thunder Over East Texas must comply with local, state and federal laws concerning possession of firearms and
weapons at an airport. Firearms, weapons and concealed firearms are prohibited. For a full listing of TSA
restricted items at airports, please see: https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/printable
“CAN I BRING A SCOOTER/WHEELCHAIR/GOLF CART?”
Motorized scooters and wheelchairs for disabled patrons are allowed in the Airshow grounds; personal golf
carts are not allowed. Please be aware that the crowds may be heavy, and maneuvering may be difficult, and
that there is no place at the show to plug in and “recharge.”
“CAN I BRING A LAWN CHAIR OR BLANKET?”
Yes! There is no seating included with your General Admission ticket and guests are invited to bring a lawn
chair or blanket to sit. However, no tents, large umbrellas, or canopies are allowed.
“CAN I BRING MY OWN FOOD OR DRINK - SMOKING??”
You may bring your own food and drink; however, you are NOT allowed to bring alcoholic beverages or glass
containers. Alcohol will be sold on the air show grounds. No extra-large bags. Any bags brought in are subject
to search by the security personnel at the gates and you may not be allowed in with such items. No cooking
equipment is allowed. Smoking is only allowed outside of the airport security fence/ outside of gates you
entered.
Reminder that there are many different food and drink vendors available at the show for your convenience.
“CAN I BRING A STROLLER OR WAGON FOR MY KIDS?”
Yes, strollers or small wagons are allowed. Please limit any diaper bags to the smallest you can manage. All
items are subject to search by security personnel at the gates and they have the final say on what is allowed.
“CAN I BRING A CAMERA?”
Yes, cameras for personal use are allowed. Your camera bags may be checked by gate security upon entry.
Remember that the Airshow performance and many performers’ acts are copyrighted, and your photography or
video cannot be used for commercial purposes.
“CAN I BRING A DRONE?”
Drones are not allowed. A TFR (Temporary Flight Restrictions) will be in effect with a 5-mile radius around
the airport restricting air traffic of all types including any drones.
“ARE PETS ALLOWED?”
Pets are NOT allowed onto the Airshow area and should NOT be left in vehicles. Because of the festival setting
with food and drink vendors, the City of Athens Health Department prohibits animals, other than legally
allowed guide and assistance animals. Please also understand that temperatures on the tarmac area can easily
reach in excess of 120 degrees and will burn a pet’s feet, plus the loud noises can injure their sensitive hearing
and/or frighten the animals.
“DO VENDORS AND CONCESSIONS TAKE CREDIT CARDS?”
Food and drink vendors may take credit cards. It is up to their discretion. It is highly advised to bring cash
because there are no ATM machines available.
“IS THERE SHADE?”
The Airshow is held under an open sky. You are encouraged to bring hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen lotion.
Limited shade may be found under the wings of some static display aircraft but there is no “shaded area”.
Umbrellas are discouraged to ensure that all visitors have a good view of the show. No tents or canopies are
allowed.
“DO I NEED HEARIG PROTECTIONS (ear plugs)?”
The Airshow strongly encourages you to bring and use proper hearing protection such as quality ear plugs, and
especially so for children. The noise from the jet engines may be painful or harmful for some. This is especially
true if you are viewing the show from the front line. For young children who may tend to play with and/or
remove the foam type plugs, a suggested alternative is sound muffs (available in the gun section of most
sporting goods stores, and generally available in children’s size). Please make your own choices on this matter
and protect your hearing.
“WHAT IF IT RAINS?”
Unless the weather is severe, we will fly as much of the show as is safe and possible. In the event that the show
is canceled, your ticket price will be considered a tax-deductible contribution to a 501(C)3 non-profit
