More than 40,000 people came out to see the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds practice ahead of the Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach this weekend.

The rain held out, so spectators were treated to a great show in the sky.

The Air Show is sold out and ticketholders are hoping the rain will not soak their hopes of getting on the beach to watch the planes.

MORE: Thunderbirds pilots prep ahead of Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach

"Long Islanders were looking for this," says George Gorman, regional director of NYS parks. "They wanted to get back to a normal life and a normal air show, and that was accomplished today."

Looking to Saturday and Sunday, the weather may not hold out. If it's not safe to fly, the pilots won't go up.

MORE: Thunderbirds ready to take off for Bethpage Air Show, but forecast threatens cancellation

If the show is canceled, ticketholders can hand in their tickets for two free passes to any state park over the summer.