Christian music rocked the stage Thursday evening at the Sundown Salute.

Sharon Glessner, Sundown Salute Director says the turnout was pretty good for the opening night.

“It looks like we really have a good turnout – I’m estimating a couple thousand,” said Glessner.

Todd Agnew and Among the Thirsty were the performing acts on the Heritage Park main stage.

Glessner’s hopes for the holiday weekend?

“I’m going to say no rain, no rain is in the forecast – that’s what’s in my mind,” lauged Glessner. “We would like to have 10,000 [people] every day, probably starting tomorrow we’d be very happy.”

An expected crowd booster is likely Sunday night’s concert with Bret Michaels.

Glesnner says bringing Michaels to Junction City has been in the works for years.

“He has been wanting to come here for about five years. The gentleman that books all the bands for me – Dave Majors – has booked many concerts for Bret all over the country, and Bret has always said ‘hey I hear about this event, and they really support the military, how can I get in to that event’ and Dave is like, ‘well, we can get that’. [In the past] it just hasn’t worked out with timing and all of that for him until this year,” said Glessner.

Glessner says the crowd size that Bret Michaels could potentially generate is “insane”.

“It could easily be 25,000, which is insane down here at this park (Heritage Park). It’s going to be side by side and really tight, but it will be an awesome concert,” said Glessner.

Bret Michaels hits the stage Sunday at 9:00 pm.