By 4:30 p.m., one opening act had been scrapped.

“The Shellabration team is working hard to deliver a show tonight. The show is not canceled. That said we are monitoring weather closely so we can deliver a show only when it’s safe to do so. To give ourselves a better opportunity of delivering ZZ Top we have eliminated one opening act to shorten the window we’ll need to get it done. We’re watching the current front and MAY decide to delay opening the gates pending more information from National Weather Service. We can deliver a show in rain but not with lightning or other public safety concern,” a statement posted on Shellabration’s social media page announced.

Shortly before the gates were scheduled open at 5:30, Shellabration announced it would delay opening them until 7 because storms were approaching.

“Gates are delayed until 7 p.m. We will be updating next at 6 p.m. Seek shelter in your vehicles. The front is projected to last 2-2.5 hours turning into a rain event.

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla
Alicia and Kevin Hunt take cover during a rain storm while waiting for the ZZ Top concert on Saturday at Rogers Park. The Hunts are celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary.

Wet people went for their cars.

But by 6:30 the storms miraculously moved off to the northeast and the gates were opened.

“Two hour window. Gates open. ZZ TOP on 7:30 p.m. (perhaps slightly sooner).”

So much for the months of planning. With more than 9,000 people expected to descend on the Harlan and Hazel Rogers Sports Complex on the north end of Fort Dodge, that window was a relief.

The news lightened spirits whose enthusiasm had been dampened, albeit temporarily.

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla
Abandoned seating marks spots where concertgoers made their mark before the start of the concert. A truncated program put ZZ Top on early. But weather halted the show after only about an hour.

“Just heard ZZ TOP will be playing first!!!” a commenter posted.

At 6:50 the traffic was backed up from the concert site to 10th Avenue North, a distance of more than two miles.

People stuck in traffic heard the news via text message.

“Wow.”

Then the sun came out.

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Tammy Oester of Fort Dodge takes cover from the rain while waiting for the ZZ Top concert to begin on Saturday at Harlan and Hazel Rogers Sports Complex.

Meanwhile, to the southwest of Fort Dodge, storms cooked.

Long before 8, ZZ Top hit the stage.

The concert was on.

Then, shortly after 8:30, it was over.