Downtown Athens Turned Pink for Megan Moroney’s 9 Cities. 9 Days. Surprise Celebration at Akins Ford Arena

Fans traveled from across Georgia, with some traveling from Florida, South Carolina, Alabama, and further to celebrate Athens’ favorite, Megan Moroney, during her 9 Cities. 9 Days. surprise event at Akins Ford Arena, marking the launch of her new album, Cloud 9.

Excitement built early as crowds lined the streets outside of Akins Ford Arena for the pink-themed festivities. More than 7,000 attendees filled Akins Ford Arena for the show, many dressed in pink and camouflage to celebrate the album rollout.

Moroney kicked off the night with “Cloud 9” and sang each song in order from the Cloud 9 album. Near the show’s finale, Moroney took part in an Athens tradition of “Calling the Dawgs”, setting the tone for an unforgettable home-state celebration. The crowd sang every word to the new Cloud 9 album, creating an electric atmosphere that highlighted both the album’s release and Moroney’s deep connection to her Athens’ roots.

Downtown Athens fully embraced the moment, transforming into a sea of pink to welcome back Moroney:

• An airplane flew over Akins Ford Arena throughout the evening carrying a banner reading, “Welcome Back to Athens, Megan- Akins Ford Arena.”
• Local Athens bars and restaurants featured special pink cocktails and themed drink specials throughout the evening.
• Pink lighting illuminated Akins Ford Arena, creating a vibrant backdrop for the celebration.
• A pink-wrapped Bronco, courtesy of Akins Ford and Wild Willies, was parked outside of Akins Ford Arena to welcome fans.

The surprise event not only celebrated the release of Cloud 9 but also showcased the unwavering support of the Athens community. From downtown storefronts to the arena stage, the city showed up in full force to honor one of its own.

 

Photos of Megan Moroney- Photo Credit: CeCe Dawson
Venue photos: Caroline Prell

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