Fans wait hours for Katy Perry benefit show tickets at Santa Barbara Bowl

Fans of pop star Katy Perry waited in line several hours for a chance to get tickets to her upcoming Santa Barbara benefit show May 19.

Ticket sales began at 11 a.m. Local residents were given the first opportunity to make a purchase at the box office. Online sales were opened up at 7 p.m.

For some of the people the concert has a very personal reason.

“These tickets are for my kids school. They go to Cold Springs school and it is about showing up and giving back and supporting our little school that lost two lives especially for Sawyer in my daughter’s class. It is very emotional,” said Emily Garfield after she purchased four tickets.

Many parents were in line to buy tickets for their children.

There was a six ticket limit per person. The prices ranged from $64.50 to $204.50.

Perry attended Dos Pueblos High School, and sang gospel music locally, and at the Goleta Farmer’s Market, before she rose to stardom in the music industry. “She’s giving her time and she is from Dos Pueblos High School. I just couldn’t be prouder,” said Wendy Whitehead who works at the school in the athletic department and bought show tickets. Whitehead arrived in line at 8 p.m. Wednesday evening

Along with ticket sales, donations could also be made at the box office window that will be shared with the United Way, Santa Barbara Foundation, the 93108 Fund , Cold Spring School, 805UNDOCUfund – all charities helping disaster victims.

Thousands of residents have been impacted by the two back to back disasters. Some lost all of their possessions and over 1000 homes were impacted in Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties by either being damaged or destroyed. In some cases residents will not be rebuilding or returning to the area for month if at all.

This show comes as Perry pauses from her “Witness: The Tour” concert schedule in between South America and Europe with this special event called “Witness: Coming Home.”

Perry made a surprise appearance at the One 805 Ash Bash last month in Summerland as part of a celebrity filled show for first responders and to help disaster victims. Over 3000 attended. Backstage Perry met with old friends, some local youth who were performing and TV talk show superstar (and Montecito resident) Ellen DeGeneres.

Perry told fans at that event that she often comes back to the area and writes music here. Several of her hit songs and videos were created in the Santa Barbara area.

Getting the tickets to the upcoming show took not only time but perseverance because of a Wednesday night rain storm that passed through. Marlene Mesa said she took a break from the line to find shelter. “I slept in my car for maybe an hour and my daughter was in the back seat,” said Mesa.

The configuration for this show offers open floor General Admission tickets in front of the stage with no seats. The bowl has room for about 5000 spectators.

By 6 p.m. only single seat and General Admission seats were left.

The show later sold out.

For more information go to: www.sbbowl.com