Eddie Montgomery, lead vocalist, performs at the country concert for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

WARSAW — Even with an Excessive Heat Warning in place, a large crowd of locals attended the “Montgomery Gentry” country concert at Warsaw’s Central Park tonight, July 19.

To beat the heat, there were several options for concert-goers to stay cool, including a misting tent from Kozon Plumbing & Heating and a cooling trailer provided by Warsaw-Wayne Fire Territory. The Center Lake Pavilion building was also open to the public to allow for people to cool off and beat the heat. A majority of concert attendees chose to stay cool by placing lawn chairs in the shade or bringing instant canopies to shield from the sun. During the concert, temperatures stayed in the upper 80s, with heat indices close to 100 degrees.

The concert raised money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and the event opened with the winner of Willie 103.5’s Local Star Search, “Backwater.” However, a member of “Backwater” passed out while performing. Before “Montgomery Gentry” took the stage, emcees of the event reported that a vocalist in the band, who was taken to the hospital by ambulance, was okay.

As of 8 p.m., approximately a dozen people had stopped by the Center Lake Pavilion to cool off. Kids and adults alike took advantage of the misting tent while enjoying both performances.

“Montgomery Gentry” was formed in 1999 by vocalists Eddie Montgomery and Troy Gentry, both Kentucky natives. The duo has produced more than 20 chart singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts. In September 2017, Gentry passed away in a helicopter crash. Despite Gentry’s death, Montgomery continues to perform under the “Montgomery Gentry” name.

The event was sponsored by the Warsaw Parks and Recreation Department, Willie 103.5 and The Dr. Dane & Mary Louise Miller Foundation.

Locals enjoy the “Montgomery Gentry” concert.

Concert attendees stayed cool with a misting tent provided by Kozon Plumbing & Heating.