Georgia and Auburn fans watch the football game near the West Point, Ga. welcome center on U.S. 29, at a Chick-fil-A "rivarly" pop-up restaurant. (Brian O’Shea / bposhea@ajc.com)

Near the state line, Georgia and Auburn fans joined Chick-fil-A watch party

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While Auburn was trouncing Georgia on Saturday, a gathering of fans cheering for both schools watched 35 miles away at a Chick-fil-A pop-up restaurant opened just for the day in West Point, Ga., just across the Alabama state line.

The Atlanta-based chain served free food and displayed the game on a giant outdoor screen at a temporary “Rivalry Restaurant” that also marked the 125th anniversary of the UGA vs. Auburn University football game (the first game was played at Piedmont Park in 1892).

Half-time entertainment came from area school band members representing three nearby Alabama towns: Lanett, Valley and Opelika. Lanett borders West Point, Ga., near the Chattahoochee River. On-site games, face painting and visits by former college athletes provided entertainment throughout the game.

Band members from Lanett, Valley and Opelika, Ala. played the Georgia and Auburn fight songs during half-time. (Brian O’Shea / bposhea@ajc.com)

The location of the pop-up restaurant was on Third Avenue / U.S. 29, near the West Point, Ga. welcome center. The event was held so close to the Alabama state line (and the Lanett, Ala. city limit) that fans sitting toward the back may have been in the Central Time zone.

RELATED: More about the Chick-fil-A Rivalry Restaurant from the AJC Atlanta restaurants blog

Food was distributed from a temporary concession stand decorated with UGA and Auburn illustrations and team colors.
Auburn had equal billing. The left side of the Chick-fil-A stand was decorated for Georgia, the right side for Auburn.
Chick-fil-A signs on the grounds represented the images and colors of both colleges.
Local police were on hand to help with traffic control on Third Avenue / U.S. 29.
The crowd on the lawn gets a good look at the crowd inside Jordan-Hare Stadium during the Auburn-Georgia game. (Brian O'Shea / bposhea@ajc.com)

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