Fans wait in cold to meet Kelly Clarkson

BEACHWOOD, Ohio - Hundreds of Kelly Clarkson fans braved the cold Saturday morning at Beachwood Place Mall for an opportunity to meet the American Idol winner.

As part of Saturday's grand opening of Microsoft's retail store at the mall, Clarkson will perform a concert at 6 p.m. in the west parking lot of Beachwood Place.

Fans have been waiting outdoors, some since Friday night, for an opportunity to meet Clarkson. The first 100 fans in line received wristbands for a special meet-and-greet with Kelly.

Angie Luzadder and her autistic,14-year-old son Riley drove five hours in the fog and rain from Marion, Indiana for the opportunity to meet Clarkson. Leaving Indiana early paid off for the two of them.

"We wanted to make sure we got a meet-and-greet," said Angie. "We couldn't believe when we were the first ones in line for the show."

Luzadder reached reached out to Clarkson via the singer's Twitter account in advance of the Microsoft store grand opening and concert. Riley, who is celebrating a birthday, won a new computer and a guitar signed by Kelly.

Elsie Solomon of University Heights was also one of the first 100 fans in line. Waiting outside in the cold was a very difficult task.

"It was freezing," said Solomon. "We brought three blankets, chairs, gloves, scarves, everything just to keep warm and our feet were still freezing. It was cold but it was worth it."

The first 1,100 people in line for the grand opening received two free "premier viewing" tickets to the concert.

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