ACM Weekend in Photos: ACM Party for a Cause Festival

Prior to the ACM awards, artists and fans took over Las Vegas this past weekend. During the ACM Party for a Cause Festival, Dierks Bentley, Lee Brice, Kix Brooks, Hunter Hayes, Dustin Lynch, Eli Young Band and Love and Theft performed for the crowd, and brought along two surprises guests, Sheryl Crow and Tim McGraw. The party took place in the East Parking Lot of the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas.

Brice performed “Ring in My Pocket,” and ended his set with “Parking Lot Party.” Hayes covered Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition,” while Eli Young Band tossed out guitar picks, sweaty towels and drums sticks after their set. Angie Johnson, who was a contestant on Season Two of The Voice, and is also a military veteran, belted out the National Anthem with the honor guard in the background.

Brooks introduced Willie, Jep, Korie and Jessica Robertson from A&E’s Ducky Dynasty to greet fans before bringing out ACM CEO Bob Romeo, along with the ACM Lifting Lives® team, to present a $10,000 check to Nellis Air Force Base Force Support Squadron, $25,000 to Wounded Warrior Project® and $25,000 to Folds of Honor.

Bentley’s performance was filled with surprises. He brought “Easy” singer Crow came out to perform a song with him, as well as her hit song “If It Makes You Happy.” While Dierks performed his hit “Home,” McGraw appeared to introduce the crowd to Army Sgt. Mathew Pickar and his wife, who received a brand new home through Operation Homefront. He then proceeded to shock them by awarding an additional $10,000 to get them started in their new home.

A check is presented to Army. Sgt. Mathew Pickar and his wife to get them started in their new home. Photo: Getty Images

Dierks Bentley and Tim McGraw Photo: Getty Images

Sheryl Crow and Dierks Bentley Photo: Getty Images

Dustin Lynch  Photo: Getty Images

Eli Young Band Photo: Getty Images

Kix Brooks  Photo: Getty Images

Lee Brice  Photo: Getty Images

Love and Theft  Photo: Getty Images