Parents camp out for AADG recital tickets

Julian Ornelas/The Madera Tribune

Dad Ozzy, son Leo and daughter Lila Barajas stand in front of their camper while waiting to purchase All About Dance recital tickets.

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Parents of dancers at All About Dance and Gymnastics (AADG) camped outside the studio the night before ticket sales opened for the school’s upcoming recital on June 28, a long-time tradition where parents rush to be first in line to secure front-row seats.

“Some mom started it one year. She was here, and I asked her, ‘What are you doing here on Friday? Tickets don’t go on sale until tomorrow.’ said Alexis Hix, owner of AADG. “But she camped out, and it just grew. Last year, we had someone come on Thursday. He put his tent on the grass and said, ‘Oh, I don’t have to be here until tomorrow.’ But his son said, ‘This is fun, Dad. It’s like we’re camping out.’ So they stayed.”

Since then, ticket sales have become an event of their own. Parents bring barbecues, coffee, and even portable movie screens to keep their families entertained.