Rain doesn’t stop Carrie Underwood performance

Despite steady rains, Carrie Underwood performed on time outside Bank of America Stadium on Wednesday afternoon as part of the Belk Bowl FanFest.

The country singer and “American Idol” winner sang hit after hit and thanked fans for braving the downpours. Many carried umbrellas, while others wore ponchos.

Underwood would have left the stage only in the event of a lightning storm or other severe weather, which wasn’t expected, Belk Bowl officials said.

Underwood was seen doing sound testing on the stage as early as 11:30 a.m.

Fans began arriving at the outdoor stage at about 7:30 a.m. By 8 a.m., a dozen had gathered for the concert that was still five hours away. Thousands more streamed in by the start of the 1 p.m. performance.

FanFest preceded the Belk Bowl between N.C. State and Mississippi State.

The Charlotte area has a 100 percent chance of rain on Wednesday. Showers could continue into the night and then diminish on Thursday.

Staff Photographer Todd Sumlin contributed.

This story was originally published December 30, 2015 at 9:56 AM with the headline "Rain doesn’t stop Carrie Underwood performance."