(St. George, UT) - An all-star lineup headlined by the US Navy Blue Angels drew thousands of spectators to the 2012 Thunder Over Utah Air Show. Officials estimate more than 45,000 people attended the first-ever show held at St. George Municipal Airport this weekend.

“We can’t be more pleased with the outcome of this inaugural event,” said Kevin Walsh, air show director. “Spectators, performers, community leaders, sponsors, media partners, and volunteers all contributed to make this show a tremendous success. Our hats are off to the people of Southern Utah for pulling off this great event.”

Despite overnight rain, and cold blustery conditions throughout the day, Sunday’s show went on as planned with an estimated crowd of 15,000. Although the show expected 20,000 people for Saturday’s show, approximately 30,000 people attended.

“As a first year show at an airport that didn’t exist a little over a year ago, with 10,000 more fans than expected on Saturday, we experienced a few hiccups but overall things went well,” said Walsh. “The traffic plan worked as expected getting people in and out despite the fact that we were bursting at the seams on Saturday and a wind storm hit just as the show was closing. We were able to clear the parking lots on Saturday no more than an hour and fifteen minutes from the time the Blue Angels stepped out of their planes. ”

“We will do a full show debrief in the next few weeks and review what worked well and what we can improve. While we are very happy with this year’s show, there are obviously lessons we have learned that we will apply at future shows,” said Walsh.

Show organizers’ intend to have a show in 2013 but dates and performers have not been finalized. Organizers expect to announce show dates and a preliminary performer lineup for 2013 later this year.

Ticket sales from the 2012 Thunfer of Utah air show benefitted several community organizations including the Boy Scouts of America, Dixie JROTC, Rotary, Western Sky Warbirds Museum and the Yankee Air Museum.