Airshow traffic started early Saturday morning

CHICOPEE, Mass (WWLP) - If you were anywhere near Memorial Drive or Westover on Saturday, you knew the air show was in town.

When thousands upon thousands of people come in town for the air show it can only mean traffic will be one thing “Horrendous, absolutely horrendous,” said Jacob Gooding of Milton Vermont who’s had to deal with the traffic the last time he came for the airshow.

The Great New England Air Show hasn't been at Westover Air Reserve Base for four years so people were anxious to get a glimpse of the action but for those who live near the base like Laurie Cote it can be a hassle.

“I've got to go past Westover, go down Pendleton Avenue, go up Bostwick and come up so I'm not in the traffic I'm going against the traffic to get to my house, you have to go around,” said Cote.

There are three entrances to the show. The main entrance is on Westover Road, there's also one on James Street and a back entrance on New Ludlow Road in Granby.

When traffic would get too backed up at one of the entrances they would block it off and direct cars to another entrance in order to try and relieve some of the congestion.

But once you're parked, people say the traffic is just a minor delay. “Luckily I have family that lives close by, my parents and grandparents live right around the corner so I'm staying with them and probably going to walk it,” said Gooding.

Some are also taking that inconvenience and turning it in their favor. Carlos Alcaite and his friends knew cars would be lined up outside so they took advantage of it by selling refreshments.

“It's still early but people do stop and ask for water, two, three bottles at a time,” said Alcaite.

Businesses near the base may have to deal with the congestion but some are turning a big profit.

Amy Mercer of Chicopee who lives off of Memorial Drive said, “It's great for the economy, the hotels are all sold out around the area so there' s a plus where the minus is and right now the pluses outweigh the minuses.”

The lesson for many on Saturday was get there or get out early in the day.