Lee DeWyze May 14 in Mt. Prospect AP/Charles Rex Arbogast
It's going to be quite a party.
Mt. Prospect has finalized plans for the American Idol season finale celebration when hometown favorite Lee DeWyze will battle it out with Ohio's Chrystal Bowersox for the Idol title.
The party will beheld on the Village Green and surrounding area - since a spill-over crowd is expected.
The Green is outside Village Hall on 50 S. Emerson. A jumbotron television screen will be set up so the crowd can watch the special 2 hour finale show from 7 - 9 p.m. Festivities will begin at 5, however, and the jumbotron will display highlights of DeWyze's hometown visit last Friday (See: Slideshow - Lee DeWyze at Cubs, parade, concert). Celebrants should bring their own seating, either a blanket or a lawn chair.
There will be food and beverage vendors to feed the masses. Parking is available n the parking deck adjacent to Village Hall, but you can imagine how quickly that will fill up. Fans coming from outside of town would be best to use Metra, which is expected to add extra service, like it did last Friday for the DeWyze parade and Arlington Park concert.
Mt. Prospect is seeking sponsor to help cover the cost of the event with different sponsorship levels offered for businesses that want to advertise the night of the party
DeWyze made the cut for the finale show after his powerful and moving renditions of "Single Man' and "Hallelujah" won over the judges and the voting public. (See: Hallelujah! Lee DeWyze's American Idol performance sets stage for Mt. Prospect party). DeWyze in fact was the number one vote getter, followed by Bowersox and then Casey James of Texas, whose third place finish bounced him out of the competition.
At this point, there are no town-sponsored events for the next Tuesday's performance portion of the show. Expect huge crowds at local bars and restaurants, everyone carrying a cell phone (or two) to make that all-important vote-by-phone call at show's end.
Comments
I only wish I lived in the Mt. Prospect area and could attend the celebrations next week. To the next American Idol - Lee Dewyze: CONGRATULATIONS! You rock the house, Lee. You are the only contestant who has said all along that this is your passion, not - you are in it for the money like the others have said. You have grown so much during your time in this competition. You have never been rude and you have taken all the critiques of the judges and used them positively to better your craft and, in so doing, you have grown as a person. And you have succeeded. You are to be commended on your effort. How hard must it be to get on stage where you are uncomfortable - though extremely talented - and be judged! You are a true artist - musician/singer/songwriter and I wish you all the best with your passion. What a gifted, humble young man. What proud parents you must have. I am proud of you. GO LEE!!
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