Jun 6, 2009 10:20 pm US/Eastern
Country Stars Open Dallas Cowboys New Stadium
DALLAS (CBS) ―
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The long-awaited opening of the new Cowboys Stadium has arrived with headliners Reba McEntire and George Strait making their mark on Texas entertainment history.
KTVT / KTXA
The long-awaited opening of the new Cowboys Stadium has arrived with headliners Reba McEntire and George Strait making their mark on Texas entertainment history, CBS station KTVT-TV reported.
Country western fans from all over the state turned out for the live concert and there were a few surprises.
"Oh my gosh, it's breathtaking. I hope I can afford to come back." said one woman as she entered the doors.
Another woman said "This is awesome. It's super sweet to be able to walk in here and see the stadium!"
The big suprise was on the concert bill itself. Lee Ann Womack replaced Julianne Hough, who had to cancel her performance due to laryngitis.
Tailgaters arrived early and cold beverages were sold in the plaza outside the stadium.
"It's a mark in history, that's what it is" says Michelle Phipps who came with her husband from Aledo, Texas. They tailgated in the shadow of a newly-planted tree, just feet from the stadium.
Many people brought barbeque pits and all the fixings to cook up lunch for their friends before the gates opened at 2pm.
About half way into the concert, some of the concession stands ran out of beer and hot dogs and stadium personnel scampered around trying to accommodate people who waited in line for food and beverages.
The retractable roof was closed throughout most of the concert and the four acts that performed were larger-than-life on the largest video screens in the world.
Sandy Shaw of Plano came to the concert with her daughter, Delaney. She says "It's so exciting. I'm a huge Cowboys fan. I love George Strait. My daughter loves Reba McEntire. We got a hotel room. We're just going to party all night."
Blake Shelton was the second act on stage, followed by McEntire and Strait, who asked Cowboys owner Jerry Jones that the roof be opened 30 minutes into his set.
Many fans reported being surprised at how easy it was to park. There was confusion on the part of motorists and stadium personnel, but that was expected at the inaugural event.
Hotels near the stadium were sold out and many George Strait fans says they had to work for two or three days, on the internet, to find a room.
Arlington Police say the crowd mostly behaved themselves, they did have to arrest 21 people, almost all for public intoxication.
City leaders also were pleased with traffic flow both before and after the concert. They say traffic was moving free and clear an hour after the concert let out.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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