Singer Jennifer Lopez returns to the Bronx for free concert
PELHAM BAY PARK, N.Y. (WABC) -- The 'Jenny From the Block' concert brought crowds of people to watch Jennifer Lopez sing her way back into her hometown.
The free performance at Orchard Beach proved a crowd-pleaser even if the crowds were much smaller than anticipated. Those who came had easy access despite the fears of painful gridlock.
25,000 fans were lucky enough to get their hands on the free tickets for Wednesday night's show.
And fans said they didn't mind waiting to be let inside. "Very excited to see her, and I wore my bow just for her. So represent Puerto Rico and the Bronx, and she always gives back," said one fan.
"She's showing love to the people, and we're showing love back to her," another fan said.
The concert was held in Orchard Beach, where Lopez spent so many lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer. Now it's the spot where the superstar known around the world as J-Lo came home.
"It's going to be awesome to come back to the Bronx and do a concert for free for the neighborhood that raised me," Lopez said earlier this week.
When doors opened, concert-goers had plenty to occupy their time before Lopez took the stage at 8:30 p.m. There was food and family-friendly activities for those who managed to score one of the tickets.
Residents of City Island worried about so many cars so close to its one access road, and students at a local charter school were upset to learn their annual fundraiser was canceled because it was scheduled for the same day.
If you attended the concert, send us your pictures, using the hashtag #BackOnTheBlock.
