EVANS, Ga. -- The two-thirds homegrown band played before 3,100 of their closest fans for the dedication of the new Evans Town Center Park Friday. The 17-acre, $3.5 million park in Evans was finished earlier this year. Its amphitheater is named the Lady Antebellum Pavilion and Josh Kelley Stage in honor of the group. Tickets for the show sold out in about three hours.

Go here to look at our special coverage page for the concert

Read our live blog here:
8 p.m.

The families of the band, members of the Columbia County Commission and representatives from the hospital came onstage to dedicate the pavilion. The plaque was revealed for the band and read out loud to the crowd. Immediately afterward, Lady A took the stage and kicked off the show with one of their hits, "Our Kind of Love." Definitely was a crowd favorite!

6 p.m.

The wind is picking up and the rain is starting to fall as the opening acts are starting. Hopefully it stops soon -- or all the fans will have to walk around in the muddy grass!

5:30 p.m.

Hillary Scott, Dave Haywood and Charles Kelley of Lady Antebellum reminisced about Augusta and their excitement about the pavilion during their press conference.

"It's beautiful. The acoustics are amazing," Hillary said.

She said they were able to forgo some of their usual sound equipment for tonight's concert.

"Tonight we just have floor monitors. Just us and the voices of the crowd singing along," she said.

Dave said they were honored to be a part of it.

"I just think it's great for the city and for us," he said. "It's a beautiful park and people can come to this forever."

One topic the group was especially excited to talk about was their newest album, Own The Night.

"It's just a group of songs that are representative of where we've been lately. It's a very nostalgic album. Memories that took place right here for these guys," Hillary said. "Different moments in your life that define where you are and where you end up."

She said the title is a call to action. One that she hopes will prompt fans to enjoy life and find the joy in it, even when it's hard.

Charles said one of the songs that totally brought him back to high school was "Dancin' Away With My Heart." Charles said he and Dave pictured their high school gym when writing the song.

"That's our little Augusta connection right here," he said.

4:30 p.m.

Fans are piling in, setting up chairs and getting ready for the concert. I got to talk to a few of them and they are excited to see Lady A perform! The crowd is made up of people of all ages -- it's easy to tell the band draws a diverse crowd.

Lady A is supposed to have a press conference around 5:15 p.m. We'll be giving you information from that pres conference in our newscasts and here in this blog.

4 p.m.

The band has left the stage from soundcheck and fans are slowly coming in, claiming their spots for the concert.

3:30 p.m.

Music is floating through the air of the Evans Town Center Park! The band is currently undergoing soundcheck and you can hear small clips of their hits as they test the sound for the big concert. Dave had been up there for a while, and Charles and Hillary just got on the stage and have started singing, "Just A Kiss." Gates aren't open yet but some fans are already camped outside the gates, ready to see their favorite hometown country music stars perform.

Corey Crowder and Steward & Winfield will be opening for the band tonight.

More updates to come!