Tickets to the Air Force Academy’s graduation — featuring a commencement speech by President Barack Obama — will be available beginning at 8 a.m. Wednesday.

The Greater Colorado Springs Chamber and EDC plans to offer 500 free, reserved-seat tickets for the Academy Class of 2012 Graduation Ceremony, which will take place on May 23 at Falcon Stadium.

The tickets will be offered on a first-come, first-serve basis at the Chamber’s offices, 6 S. Tejon Street, Suite 700. The Chamber has capped the number of tickers per person at four, according to the Air Force Academy.

Tickets will also be available at the Athletic Ticket Office in the Falcon Athletic Center near Clune Arena beginning at 9 a.m. Thursday.

Obama plans to address about 1,000 cadets are they receive their commission as 2nd lieutenants in the Air Force at the ceremony, which begins at 10 a.m.

The gates to the stadium will open at 7:30 a.m. on graduation day, though heavy traffic and delays are expected due to strict security measures across the base. Due to those delays, spectators are asked to arrive no later than 8:30 a.m.

A bevy of restrictions will be in place for the ceremony, including:

Tailgating also is prohibited before and after the event.

Several areas will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis for handicapped seating.

To learn more about the graduation, as well as restrictions and advice on how to prepare, visit http://bit.ly/JtL4QK.

Cadets toss their hats in the air at the conclusion of Air Force Academy Graduation Wednesday, May 26, 2010. The Gazette, Mark Reis Photo by MARK REIS, THE GAZETTE

MARK REIS