A 24 Hour Campout for Free Food
By: Monica Yantosh
Updated: July 1, 2012
People began lining up outside the Chick-Fil-A on University and Fourth at 6 a.m. to be a part of the First 100, where the reward is a year's supply of free food. The parking lot became a little campground for the night, and with temperatures around 100 today, those camping out had to find a way to stay cool.
"I didn't know any of these guys. Just, they had a little hookup and I said 'Hey can I use your shade?'" said Cody Scott. Scott traveled from Hobbs, New Mexico just for the free food. He left at 2 this morning and got here around 5, only to find out he had to wait another 24 hours before getting his reward.
"Obviously I'm not dressed for the weather, but I didn't think, I didn't know we were going to wait out here all day, you know I just kind of thought the first 100 get the free stuff and we can leave," said Scott. "No, it's 24 hours. And I just kind of winged it."
Scott is just one of the 110 people camping out, and for many, it's not their first. Valerie Valdez also took part in the opening last year, and this year, she and dad victor are prepared for the heat.
"Sunblock, this tarp, we have tons of shade. I'm about to go wet a towel and put it around my neck and water, tons of water," said Valerie.
"Soaked my shirt, you know, plenty of fluid, suntan, stay in the shade," said Victor Valdez.
Their thermometer on their tent read 97 degrees, in the shade. Baby pools and a tent with mist spraying provided relief for many, especially the kids.
"They've been pretty good so far, just trying to stay cool, playing in the pools and stuff," said Vikki Criner, mother of two children who were waiting with her.
While the heat was a bit of a challenge, the Valdez family is enjoying the opportunity to be a part of the experience.
"The food, the fun, the family time we're having right now, meeting new people, not just people from Texas, but the nation," said Valerie Valdez.
"I didn't know any of these guys. Just, they had a little hookup and I said 'Hey can I use your shade?'" said Cody Scott. Scott traveled from Hobbs, New Mexico just for the free food. He left at 2 this morning and got here around 5, only to find out he had to wait another 24 hours before getting his reward.
"Obviously I'm not dressed for the weather, but I didn't think, I didn't know we were going to wait out here all day, you know I just kind of thought the first 100 get the free stuff and we can leave," said Scott. "No, it's 24 hours. And I just kind of winged it."
Scott is just one of the 110 people camping out, and for many, it's not their first. Valerie Valdez also took part in the opening last year, and this year, she and dad victor are prepared for the heat.
"Sunblock, this tarp, we have tons of shade. I'm about to go wet a towel and put it around my neck and water, tons of water," said Valerie.
"Soaked my shirt, you know, plenty of fluid, suntan, stay in the shade," said Victor Valdez.
Their thermometer on their tent read 97 degrees, in the shade. Baby pools and a tent with mist spraying provided relief for many, especially the kids.
"They've been pretty good so far, just trying to stay cool, playing in the pools and stuff," said Vikki Criner, mother of two children who were waiting with her.
While the heat was a bit of a challenge, the Valdez family is enjoying the opportunity to be a part of the experience.
"The food, the fun, the family time we're having right now, meeting new people, not just people from Texas, but the nation," said Valerie Valdez.
