"I think it's a great idea, but I wish there were more vendors here," said Scott from Roy, who came with his wife and two children to The Gateway earlier in the day to celebrate the end of the school year. "I have a pocket full of money."

And while a number of people said they chose to watch the game outside because they couldn't afford the entrance fee, the price of admission was pretty reasonable with one couple getting $75 tickets for $12.50 each at the end of the first quarter.

"We were just on our way to the Gateway," said Angela Dansie. "They were so cheap, we couldn't resist."

Still, others said seeing the game on a big-screen outside was the way they wanted to celebrate the Jazz playoff run. The Haslam family, a party of 16, has become one of the veteran groups at the drive-in style celebration.

"We did this 10 years ago," said Heidi Haslam, "but it was at the Triad Center. This is nicer."

Added her sister-in-law, Kristin Haslam, "Parking is atrocious, though."

She said the family decided to pack up the kids and watch the game outside ESA to teach their children something about being a fan.

"We did it before we all had kids," said Kristin Haslam. "When they made the playoffs again, we said, 'Let's do it again and show our kids how much fun it is.' Once the sun sets, it's great."

Both women said if they had baby sitters, they'd probably have looked into buying tickets, but they were perfectly happy with the makeshift living room they'd set up complete with camping chairs and blankets.

"Our husbands are the biggest fans," Kristin Haslam said. "This is just really fun for all of us."

---

E-mail: adonaldson@desnews.com