In a flash of lights, smoke and pyrotechnics, grizzled rock veterans Lynyrd Skynyrd led a diverse group of entertainers Friday at one of the largest Gator Growl productions in recent years.
After more than two hours, the band emerged to play "Free Bird" and several other songs, though scattered cries demanding the song could be heard in the crowd before the rally kicked off.
The band appeared with comedian Frank Caliendo at the 84th annual Gator Growl, billed as the world's largest student-run pep rally.
"We just got one thing to say to you: Skynyrd's in the Swamp!" lead singer Johnny Van Zant shouted. "Are you ready for it or not?"
After playing songs such as "Swamp Music" and "Gimme Three Steps," Lynyrd Skynyrd brought the crowd to its feet with "Sweet Home Alabama."
The climax would come after that song.
"In the words of my brother Ronnie Van Zant: 'What song is it you want to hear tonight?"' Van Zant asked.
With a shout of "Free Bird!" thousands in the crowd lifted up cell phones and lighters as the first few familiar chords were played.
Sara Tanner, Gator Growl's tickets director, said an estimated 44,000 people attended, which was about 10,000 more than last year.
Before Skynyrd stormed the stage, Caliendo drew the crowd's laughter with impressions that included John Madden and President Bush.
Other performances included dancers from Alpha Omicron Pi Sorority and UF senior Ross Asdourian, who mimed Gators quarterback Tim Tebow's game day routine.
The rest of Gator Growl was filled with traditional events, including a celebration of UF athletics.
UF men's basketball coach Billy Donovan appeared briefly to introduce this year's basketball lineup and praise UF fans.
"Well, it's no question that I think our fans, our students and our alumni have created the best atmosphere in the country," Donovan said.
Later, Urban Meyer appeared with the football team's seniors, including Andre "Bubba" Caldwell and Tony Joiner, to fire up the crowd.
"There's no better place to be out here than the Swamp," Caldwell said. "We're gonna kick Vanderbilt's ass, and we're gonna do that for the rest of the year."
UF anthropology senior Jillian Yoerges was crowned Homecoming queen, while UF history and marketing senior Ryan Merkel, son of UF trustee Joelen Merkel, was crowned king.
Videos of celebrity Gators fans and alumni giving their best delivery of "Let the Gator Growl" were another prominent feature of the pep rally.
Participants included Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, singer Sheryl Crow and football coaches Don Shula and Lou Holtz.
"We all know in the Swamp, only the Gators come out alive," said Crist, a Florida State University alumnus.
Student skits also poked fun at FSU, The Ohio State University, and UF students and organizations.
During a mock news broadcast, anchors said the first 17 pages of a 300-page Florida Department of Law Enforcement report stated University Police Department officers were justified in Tasering UF telecommunication senior Andrew Meyer.
"The remaining 283 pages proved numerous times that Andrew Meyer is a douche bag," the anchors said.
