Faithful fans catch Brandon Heath in Palmetto despite foul weather
PALMETTO -- Faithful fans left their warm houses to watch the power boats load up for the Bradenton Area River Regatta and hear the inspirational Christian music of Brandon Heath.
By the time Heath's performance opened at 4:45 p.m. Saturday, the cold, rainy and windy conditions had already halted the F2 Powerboats race. It didn't stop about a couple hundred people, donning coats and rain gear with many huddled under umbrellas in front of
the Palmetto stage, to hear Heath perform.
Thomas Harmon, 44, stood smiling as he sang along and swayed to the music.
"I came all the way from Dunedin in the rain just to see him," Harmon said.
Like many bearing the cold and rain, Harmon said he was a big fan.
"It brings me closer to God and makes me want to dance and sing" Harmon said.
Heath thanked his fans for braving the wether to come hear him perform.
Linda Melby Nease, 55, was so excited to see him perform, she said.
"I love Brandon Heath and I am new to the area from St. Petersburg so I wanted to check out the area and the boats," she said.
This was not her first time seeing Heath perform either.
"He's awesome," she said loudly as he took to the microphone, bringing a big smile to her face.
Before Heath took the stage, some ventured to Palmetto for the beer tent, kids fun zone and to watch the boats and Jet Skis get in the water.
Abigail Harmsen, 7, stood near the docks as the powerboats were loaded.
"I like them," Abigail said smiling. "I like the paintings on them."
This wasn't her first time at the regatta. Her grandfather brought her to the first regatta last year.
She was excited to watch them race again, she said.
"They were going really fast," Abigail said.
Jessica De Leon, Herald law enforcement reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7049. You can follow her on Twitter @JDeLeon1012.
This story was originally published February 6, 2016 at 11:26 PM with the headline "Faithful fans catch Brandon Heath in Palmetto despite foul weather ."