The committed fans of the Grommesh family lined up starting at 1 a.m. Sunday morning to catch a glimpse of their reaction as they saw their new home for the first time.
About 1:45 p.m. the cast walked onto the set and then the crew from “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” captured shots of an enthusiastic crowd using a number of cameras.
In the 80-degree heat and pounding sunshine, volunteers tried to keep spectators hydrated with label free bottles of water. Some sought shade under colorful umbrellas while others baked in the rays. Many estimated the crowd had reached 8,000 people while thousands more watched for blog and Facebook updates from media and spectators on site.
When the time came to “Move that bus,” the phrase echoed through the Valley, as young and old shouted with everything they had.
In the family area, a large black foam core sign rose above the crowd. In a rainbow of letters it said “The Grommesh Family R Our Angels.” As soon as the white limo pulled up behind the bus, the crowd couldn’t have been quieted.
The Grommesh family was home.
As they exited the limo, Bill carried an enthusiastic Garrett who waved like he had done this kind of crowd pleasing before. People went crazy with shouts and cheers. They scrambled to find chairs, barricades and shoulders to raise them up just enough to catch a glimpse of the family’s reaction.
Right before the director gave the okay to move the bus, Adair turned and faced those behind her. She gave a quick wave and bit her lip before turning around to face eight days of anticipation.
The engine of the bus revved up and moved like a curtain opening for a show. When Adair saw her new home, she doubled over and when she came back up, her hand covered her mouth. The hugs were intense and the tears were happy as the family saw what they had been waiting for.
After a quick chat with the cast and crew, the family was about to make their way inside.
From the crowd a young boy yelled, “Garrett!” Then he turned and looked up, “Mom, I just saw him!”
Given the reaction about the outside of the house, imaginations will have to wait until the show airs in mid-November to mid-December to see what the family thought of the inside of their brand new home.
And to see exactly what it looks like.