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Thousands flocking to town

By J. FRANK LYNCH
jflynch@theCitizenNews.com

Thousands of people from throughout Metro Atlanta and the Southeast are pouring into Peachtree City this weekend for the 7th Annual Great Georgia Airshow and the “4 Nights in October” Christian music festival at the Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheater.

But city officials are prepared and say the crowds shouldn’t disrupt the regular flow of weekend traffic around the city.

The airshow will take place during the day, and the concerts are mostly at night.

Concertgoers will be shuttled back and forth to the amphitheater from two satellite parking areas: First Baptist Church in Peachtree City, and Providence United Methodist Church on Barnard Road south of the city, which should limit traffic on Peachtree Parkway, officials hope.

The only thoroughfare that will be directly affected by the airshow will be Dividend Drive, between TDK Boulevard and Ga. Highway 74 South, said Betsy Tyler, city spokeswoman.

That stretch of road leading to Falcon Field Airport will be limited to southbound traffic only for cars, but golf carts will have two-way traffic on Dividend Drive leading to the airport.

Plenty of golf cart parking will be available at the airport itself, as will handicap parking for vehicles with properly displayed identification.

For those driving to the big event, satellite parking is provided in the lots surrounding Starr’s Mill High and Rising Starr Middle schools south of the city.

Buses provided by the Fayette County School System will shuttle air show attendees to the show and back again free of charge.

According to Peachtree City Police, traffic in the vicinity of the air show will be heaviest both Saturday and Sunday between the hours of 1:30 and 3:30 p.m., Tyler said.

The good news is that even with a crowd of 25,000 expected, the event doesn’t appear to affect traffic away from Hwy. 74 and Dividend Drive, Tyler said, so folks shouldn’t be afraid to go about their usual weekend routines elsewhere in the city.

Here’s what else you need to know about the Great Georgia Air Show:

• Hours: Gates open at 9 a.m. both Saturday and Sunday, with shuttle service beginning at 8 a.m. from the South School Complex. Aerial performances begin at 1 p.m. both days.

• Tickets: Discount tickets are available at $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 6-12 through the end of the day Friday at the Fayette County Chamber of Commerce offices, 200 Courthouse Square , Fayetteville, GA 30214. At the gate, tickets will be $13 for adults and $7 for children. Kids ages 5 and under get in free.

• Performers: Appearances are scheduled by The Masters of Disaster, Scott Shockley's Chevy Jet Truck, Jim Leroy's Bulldog Airshows, A-10 Warthog USAF ACC East Coast Demo Team, P-51D Mustang aerial performance, Heritage flight of the A-10 and P-51D, F-18 East Coast Demo Team.

• Safety Rules: No coolers, skateboards, bikes, glass containers, alcohol, pets or weapons are allowed in the air show. Spectators may bring small personal chairs to sit and watch the show.

• Concessions: Vendors from various local organizations will be set up to sell food, drinks and souvenirs throughout the show.

• For more information on the airshow: Go to www.thegreatgeorgiaairshow.com.

• For more information on 4 Nights: Go to www.4nights.org.