Countywide : Big Crowds Expected for 3-Day Extravaganza

About 1.2 million people are expected at this weekend’s 45th annual El Toro Air Show to see the Navy’s world-famous Blue Angels squadron and other aviation acrobatics.

The show is today, Saturday and Sunday at El Toro Marine Corps Air Station and features more than 160 types of aircraft and a 75-minute aerial finale by the Blue Angels, said Sgt. Barry Pawelek, a spokesman for the base.

Skies are likely to be partly cloudy through the weekend, said Harry Woolford, a meteorologist with WeatherData Inc. “None of the days are going to be bright and sunny.”

Woolford predicted a 10% chance of rain on Sunday.

Law enforcement agencies are bracing for heavy traffic. California Highway Patrol officers and Irvine police will be on hand from dawn to dusk to keep vehicles moving.

Traffic is likely to be heaviest on the Santa Ana Freeway and the San Diego Freeway near Irvine and Lake Forest, said Irvine police Sgt. Brian Clifton, who advised using other routes.

For those who must travel on the Santa Ana Freeway, Clifton suggested that northbound motorists exit at Alton Parkway and southbound travelers exit at Jamboree Road, Culver Drive or Jeffrey Road. The Sand Canyon Avenue exits from the Santa Ana Freeway will be closed from 6 a.m. Saturday to 6 p.m. Sunday.

“We’re expecting a lot of traffic, but usually it’s pretty orderly,” Clifton said. “People are generally patient.”

Motorists also may use the Foothill Transportation Corridor, a 7 1/2-mile toll road that parallels the Santa Ana Freeway from Antonio Parkway in Rancho Santa Margarita to Portola Parkway near Irvine. The corridor is on the north side of the air station.

CHP spokesman Mike Lundquist cautioned that stopping on freeways or surface streets to watch the show could result in citations and fines of as much as $150.

For those who want to take public transportation, a shuttle bus will be available on Saturday and Sunday to pick up passengers from the Santa Ana Transit Terminal at 400 W. Santa Ana Blvd. Another shuttle bus will be available at the Laguna Hills Transportation Center at Paseo de Valencia and Calle de los Caballeros. The one-way fare is $2. Senior citizens and people with disabilities pay a discounted one-way fare of $1.85.

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Approach Control For The El Toro Air Show *

Traffic Control The highway advisory radio station, AM 530, will broadcast traffic conditions. *

Friday Road Closures 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. * Barranca Parkway: Ada to Alton Parkway, both directions * Irvine Boulevard: Alton Parkway to Sand Canyon Avenue, both directions *

Sat. & Sun. Road Closures 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. * Barranca Parkway: Ada to Alton Parkway, both directions 2:30 to 6 p.m. * Sand Canyon Avenue: Burt Road northbound * Irvine Boulevard: Alton Parkway to Sand Canyon, both directions 3:15 to 6 p.m. * Trabuco Road: Yale Avenue to Sand Canyon eastbound * Jeffrey Road: Walnut Avenue to Trabuco northbound * Santa Ana Freeway: Sand Canyon north- and southbound off-ramps * Santa Ana Freeway: Jeffrey Road northbound off-ramp *

Another option: Take the bus Express shuttles will depart from two points, beginning at 8:30 a.m. and running every 15 minutes until noon. Fares are $2 each way for adults and children; $1.85 for seniors and the disabled. Return buses will leave immediately after the show ends. Information: (714) 636-RIDE. *

Essentials Be prepared for heat, dust and crowds; temperatures on the airfield often reach the 90s.Refreshments and souvenirs can be purchased from vendors. ATM machines will be available, as will restrooms. What else you’ll need: lawn chairs or blankets, lightweight protective clothing, sunscreen, hearing protection, hats or visors, umbrella, water, camera, film.*

Where to Sit General admission: Free. Grassy areas between airstrips. Lawn chairs, strollers and coolers are allowed, but no glass containers. *

Preferred seating: $8 to $35. Lawn chairs, strollers and coolers are prohibited. To purchase tickets in advance, contact Ticketmaster, (714) 740- 2000. Tickets may also be purchasedat El Toro during the weekend. *

Schedule 7 a.m.: Gates open. 9 a.m. to noon: USMC AV- 8B Harrier low show; Warbirds; Otto the Clown Helicopter; Rick Fessenden Berkut; Joann Osterud Ultimate 10- 300S; John Collver SNJ; John Piggott Sukhoi 29; Dan Buchanan Hang Glider “Flying Colors”; Sean D. Tucker Power Aerobatic Team; Bret Wilat Glider “Sailplane Magic”; Patty Wagstaff Extra 300S; Jim Franklin Waco Mystery Ship & Lee Oman Wingwalker; Federal Express Flyby; Marine Air Ground Task Force Demo Take-Offs. Noon to 3 p.m. Opening ceremonies; Navy Parachute Team “Leap Frogs”; Marine Air Ground Task Force Demonstration; Steve Stavrakakis Slin Z-50 “Wild Thing”; Bill Reesman MIG- 17F “MIG Magic”; Team American SIAI Marchetti F-260; Wayne Handley Raven; Sean D. Tucker and Patty Wagstaff Duo; USAF F- 16 Fighting Falcon; Sierra Aces Aerobatic Team; USMC AV -8B Harrier. 3 to 4:30 p.m.: Blue Angels.