Huge Crowd Descends on Bowie Chick-fil-A for 'First 100' Grand Opening Party

BOWIE, MD — It was quite the party at the new Chick-fil-A location in Bowie, which opens Thursday and saw dozens of people camp out in the parking lot in the hopes of winning a year of free food.

Local franchise owner Rob Herold is opening the Chick-fil-A restaurant at 15505 Annapolis Road, and as has become tradition in the opening of new Chick-fil-A restaurants, the location hosted a family-friendly overnight "First 100" party starting 24 hours before the grand opening "as guests try to be one of the first 100 adults through the door to win a year of free Chick-fil-A meals," according to a statement.

Dozens of people packed the parking lot of the new Chick-fil-A in Bowie in the hopes of scoring the prize. They brought lawn chairs, tents and all sorts of items to pass the time as the new restaurant started to resemble a village.

"A tradition going back more than 13 years, Chick-fil-A’s First 100 celebration has given away nearly $27 million in free food through 2015 and continues to be the chain’s signature grand opening event," the statement reads. "Rain, snow and extreme temperatures below zero or above 100 do not deter fans who arrive with tents, chairs, TVs, computers and other gear."

Images via Chick-fil-A