For all the people attending the First Flight party, the NC DOT released the parking plans for the event. As I read this release over and over, I couldn't help thinking that this really isn't going to be very helpful for everybody. Somehow I'm thinking this will be too crowded to enjoy. Wish I would have thought of it sooner. What do you guys think of this? I'm curious if I'm the only one scared now.

NCDOT ANNOUNCES TRANSPORTATION PLAN FOR
FIRST FLIGHT CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION

Raleigh --- The N.C. Department of Transportation (NCDOT) today announced a plan to provide free public transportation services for the six-day First Flight Centennial Celebration in December. With about 35,000 attendees expected each day of the celebration - and no parking available at Wright Brothers National Memorial - the plan is designed to get attendees to and from the events as efficiently as possible and minimize the impact to local residents.

Transportation Management Services (TMS) -- a company that specializes in transportation planning and management for special events -- of Vienna, Va. was hired to help develop the transportation plan. As part of the plan, TMS will contract with charter companies for up to 140 vehicles -- including motor coaches, mini buses and vans -- to transport attendees to and from celebration events.

Officials emphasize that with such a large number of people attending the events, attendees should allow at least three to four hours to get to the events. A summary of the plan follows.

Park and Ride Shuttle Service
Free parking and express transportation service to and from three outlying park and ride lots will be offered throughout the day to Wright Brothers National Memorial for event attendees. Lots will be located at the following locations:

***U.S. 158 in Currituck County (on the mainland) about three miles north of the Wright Memorial Bridge;
***Dare County Airport on Roanoke Island; and
***Along N.C. 12 on Bodie Island (RV parking will be available at this site).
There will be two lots designated only for attendees who require special assistance (i.e. a lift-equipped vehicle) and their accompanying group at the following locations:
Kitty Hawk Elementary School on U.S. 158 in Kitty Hawk; and
Dare County Justice Center on Roanoke Island.
All park and ride lots will have priority parking for attendees with limited mobility, but do not need a lift-equipped vehicle. Attendees who are able to board a non lift-equipped vehicle are encouraged to do so.
All park and ride lots will open one hour prior to the gates opening at the Memorial. Buses will begin leaving the lots 30 minutes before the gates open. Gates open at 8 a.m., Dec. 12 -16 and at 6 a.m. on Dec. 17. An event ticket will be required to board the bus.

On Dec. 17, limited service may be provided north of Southern Shores and south of Bodie Island. The details are still being finalized and more information will be provided later.

No thanks.

Who from this message board is going to be there in person? Anyone?

I'll be here. I have attended a few of the planning/preparation meetings and I would not get discouraged. What specific concerns do you have and maybe the message board can address them? It's hard to believe that the celebration is only one month away. Have a nice evening.

I'm leaving the area for a few days to avoid the whole thing. I have spoken to some business owners in the Kitty Hawk area and they will be closing for that period because they feel that the traffic will be so slow that people won't be able to get to their shops.

Calm down everyone. Okay, they are anticipating about 35000 people per day at the park. So, if thats 35000 different people at the park every day for the week, that would be about 175000 people. That's half the weekly turnover we have here every weekend in the summer. So if you take a look at it that way, traffic will be half of what you're already used to when you visit in the summer.
As far as the park and ride, sure the pick up locations are inconvenient, but you can still drive. There are apt to be hundreds of places to park a short walking distance from the monument. Perhaps beach accesses. There's a big one at Colington Intersection, One on Prospect street directly across from the Monument and also one just north of there. Also,I'm not too certain anyone would mind if you parked in the driveway of an unrented house across from the monument or on one of the side streets that run parallel to the By-pass.
Come down, enjoy the festivities, use your imagination and relax and have a good time. It won't be as bad as you may think.
I'll be there on the 17th parked on the side of Colington road where I am every year watching the flyover. Just allow youself enough time,don't be in a hurry and take it all in stride. You'll be glad you did!!!

I guess my biggest concern is the sheer number of people who will be trying to get in all at the same time. If the gates open on the 17th at 6 am, I'm sure everybody will be wanting in all at once to get a good seat. I just have a tendency to get rather pissy when people shove and claw to get ahead of me (not literally, of course). I have no problem with being up early to get my place in line, but when people who have no regard for everybody else...well, it's enough to ruin a vacation.

Please tell me I'm worrying for no reason.

Please relax Beth!
You are incorrect to state that everyone will be waiting all at once to get in to get a good seat.
Are there seats to the event? I don't think so. You have to look up to see the planes. See Robert' post. And if you must rage to get a "seat" let me know, I would love to videotape the scene.

Can you tell I'm not a fan of big groups of people? Anyway, when we first started making these plans, there were some people who told us not to bother because of the crowds. I just hate to admit other people are right. :-)

When I said "seat," I meant proximity to the action on the 17th. I can only imagine that's where everybody will want to be.

That seems like a decent plan to me. You've got a park and ride area for folks on the mainland, to the south of the memorial, and to the north.

I can still imagine it will be rough for people who hates crowds, but there's just no way to have a big celebration without having crowds.

It's just like the people who worry about the traffic getting out to the island. Just relax, you have no control over it, and the more worked up you get, the more miserable your experience will be.

I'll be there. Was going to ask about how they planned on shuttling people to the site. I think it will be very choatic. No matter how well you plan and anticipate something will happen that you never considered.