The 2018 ACM Honors ceremony, which took place on Wednesday evening (Aug. 22) at the Ryman Auditorium, highlighted this year's special awards honorees and those who did not receive their honors on camera at the 2018 ACM Awards ceremony back in April. Thanks to a varied collection of performers from all aspects and eras of the genre, the evening covered some of country music's hottest current acts as well as traditional mainstays of the format.

Hosted by Jon Pardi and Lauren Alaina, the 2018 ACM Honors featured plenty of lighthearted moments, both in the form of musical surprises and onstage antics from the event's presenters and honorees. The night had its serious moments, too, as some of country music's greatest stars remembered mentors who are no longer alive and others gave emotional speeches about how much the Academy of Country Music means to them.

Read on for a recap of all the highlights and unforgettable moments of the 2018 ACM Honors.

More From TheBoot