Thousands of people in our area and nationwide lined up Wednesday to show support for a well-known fast food chain to show support for its stand on gay marriage.

The president of Chick-fil-A recently stated publicly that he believes marriage is between a man and a woman.

That's sparked lots debate and outcries from many people.

So former Arkansas governor and conservative talk show host Mike Huckabee deemed August 1 'Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day' in an effort to support the chain.

We had a crew out at a local Chick-fil-A starting around lunchtime on August 1 and the line had hardly slowed down by dinner. Cars stretched out in both directions.

On any other day most of the people in line would cringe at the thought of waiting in line for fast food for over an hour, but not this day. Lines circled Chick-fil-A's across the Tri-Cities.

Charles Howell drove 25 miles to eat at the newest Chick-fil-A in Bristol, Virginia. "It took an hour in the drive line, 15 to 20 minutes at the desk. The line wasn't long enough for me," he said.

Howell says he was glad to wait in the line because he wanted to show his support for the restaurant's stand on marriage and Christian beliefs. "I wanted to give the devil a black eye," he said.

It was a similar sight all day in Johnson City and Kingsport. In Kingsport a crowd was so large it took several police officers to keep traffic moving.

One customer told us she's not surprised that a company which closes on Sunday would take a stand supporting traditional marriage. "If they are going to ask him that question I'm sure he is going to come up with scripture of why its not right," she said.

We caught up with Lynn Alters and two her daughters on their second stop of the day at Chick-fil-A. "We are supporting Chick-fil-A at every meal today," she said.

Alters tells us she agrees with their beliefs, but also in their right to express those beliefs. "Chick-fil-A is a private owned company it is their own right to their opinion and beliefs," she said.

We spoke with a store manager off camera. He told us this event is not a Chick-fil-A event and that in his eyes, every day is Chick-fil-A Day.

Chick-fil-A's stand on marriage has generated a tremendous amount of opposition. Those opposed to the company have launched an internet campaign organizing their own protest at the restaurants on Friday.