WATCH: The Mad Dash for Seating at the Annual Pops Concert

SAN ANGELO, TX -- An air raid siren signaled the traditional opening of the gates to the Bill Aylor Sr. Memorial River Stage for the San Angelo Symphony's 32nd annual July 3 Pops Concert and the race was on for the perfect seat for the show.

Hundreds of San Angelo residents flooded the grounds at a full sprint, armed with tarps, lawn chairs, and coolers as the gates opened at high noon. Some had camped out in line since before the sun officially rose this morning.

"The whole family, we always do it (camp out)," said Mark Multer, who was first in line with his family.

Multer said he and his family had been camped out since 6:00 a.m. It's tradition for them and they love it because it's unique to San Angelo.

"That is a lot of fun to make that run, dash down here and throw your stuff down," Multer said. "It's great. I wouldn't miss it."

People of all ages made the run to set down their stuff for later in the night before leaving to escape the midday heat. Nobody will touch their property once they leave.

"Nobody bothers your stuff," the Multer family said, adding the work from security at the venue makes that possible.

"We appreciate that. The City does a good job policing the area and they do a good job," Mark said.

The Community Band is scheduled to start at 7:00 p.m. with the San Angelo Symphony taking the stage at 8:30 p.m. Multer is excited for the night's events.

"It's always the best. It's always great," Mark said. "The fireworks are great. The whole thing, the whole atmosphere is neat."