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Thousands beat the heat, weather delays to see Hunter Hayes

Support for America's Armed Forces was loud and proud at the annual event, even when triple digit heat and lightning threatened concertgoers

Thousands of people from across Central Georgia packed McConnell-Talbert Stadium... for the annual Independence Day Concert in Warner Robins last night.

The line stretched a long way down the street as scores of fans waited to see some of their favorite artists perform at the show.

“We’re happy to be out here to see Hunter Hayes, we’ve been out here since 1 p.m.,” said Amanda Gruber.

But those fans had to wait awhile as concert staff kept the entrance gates closed over an hour past the scheduled opening time due to lightning in the area.

Severe weather threatened to rain out the show, but that didn’t stop Kinley Pridgen and Aubree Jones.

“The lines [were] getting shorter, so we’re going to be closer to the front. If it starts hailing, I guess we’ll leave, but until then, we’re here,” they said.

It didn’t hail and the weather that threatened the concert passed by, which mean Aubree, Kinley and thousands of others got to see hometown celebrity Betty Cantrell and country superstar Hunter Hayes.

But for some in attendance, as good as the show was, it wasn’t the most important part of the night.

“We do this every year. We support our military. My dad served 25 years and he retired here and I have a brother that is in the reserves and he’s still active,” said Gruber.

On a day when we celebrate those who serve, Anthony Austin put it best.

“Armed forces. It’s all for them, it’s all about them, and that pretty much sums it up,” said Austin.

Austin says he personally hasn't served, but his cousin is a Marine and he's very grateful for all he does.

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