MADISON — Under a sky of parachuting cows, a ribbon was cut to not only launch a new Chick-fil-A restaurant, but to help ease traffic flow along U.S. 72.

Parachuting Chick-fil-A cows drop down on the ribbon-cutting ceremony. (Photo/Steve Babin)

A little over a week ago, the original location of the Chick-fil-A at 7885 U.S. 72 in Madison permanently closed its doors after 22 years.

This week, a new Chick-fil-A replaced it less than a mile and half west on U.S. 72 at Clift Farm. According to many of the guests at the official grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony – it has been a very, long, week.

“I grew up on a farm and it is always crazy to walk up behind a cow,” said District 4 Commissioner Phil Vandiver to raucous laughter as he skirted around the Chick-fil-A “Eat Mor Chikin” cow mascot as he began speaking at the ceremony. “I honestly believe this is one of most highly anticipated grand openings of the year.”

To put the importance and excitement surrounding the opening into perspective, 22 years ago, the original location was designed to accommodate 3 million customers per year. According to recent statistics, the store has nearly tripled that, serving 8 million customers annually.

The new Madison Chick-fil-A can accommodate 48 cars in its two-lane drive-thru. (Photo/Steve Babin)

Then, original drive-thru accommodated 21 cars, and famously backed up out onto the highway as customers waited to get into the parking lot.

Now, there are double lanes built to handle 48 vehicles.

“As you have probably noticed, this location means a bigger parking lot, increased seating, a more efficient drive-thru experience, and the opportunity to serve you better,” said Chick-fil-A owner/operator Norman Dull. “It has been a long time since we started out here in Madison. Twenty-two years ago, Madison was a much smaller town. It has been a long, growing process, but we had clearly outgrown our first store and we are excited about this new opportunity.

“We have people in the dining room for the first time in a year-and-a-half, and that has always been an important part of our relationship with the community. My heart is full seeing people enjoying our food again.”

The ceremony began with a prayer by Pastor Brandon Bentley of Capshaw Baptist Church who prayed for great things to come for the new restaurant and for its impact on the community, followed by the Bob Jones High School Junior ROTC program raising the American flag for the first time to a moving a cappella version of the “Star-Spangled Banner.”

Madison Chamber of Commerce acting Executive Director Merrill Wright joined Dull and the management team to take the official “first bite” of a Chick-fil-A sandwich before cutting the grand-opening ribbon.

But … uh … there seemed to be parachutes coming floating down … you could see it from the parking lot and there was no explanation for it ….

Stuffed “Eat Mor Chikin” cows were parachuting off the roof and raining down onto the crowd.

It was a sight to see.