Lee DeWyze fans staking out viewing spots in Mount Prospect
The party is rocking at Village Green in Mount Prospect tonight and "American Idol" is still more than 30 minutes away.
Lee DeWyze fans of all ages are camped out in front of the Jumbotron - some since morning - and so far, even though the skies still look menacing, the serious rain is holding off.
"I love you, Lee," scream a few girls - hoping, perhaps, he might hear them.
But if DeWyze can't see his hometown fans tonight, maybe he'll feel the vibe anyway. Video from DeWyze's Arlington Park show on May 14 is getting a lot of support from the audience, some making signs and many huddled under umbrellas.
But when Maura El Metennani said rain or shine, she meant it.
Mount Prospect promises to hold the Lee DeWyze party tonight no matter the weather, said El Metennani, the village's spokeswoman.
Two hours before Idol aired, thunder and dark skies threatened the party in downtown Mount Prospect.
"According to our police chief/weatherman, we are right in the middle of two showers (that) are going to clear up before the show," she said. "We're going to dodge it, so tell people to come."
Mount Prospect officials are expecting up to 10,000 Idol fans tonight.
This afternoon, public works crews closed the intersection of Busse and Emerson, making way for T-shirt and food vendors, as well as two beer tents and a Jumbotron.
Idol's two-hour finale begins in less than 30 minutes on Fox when either DeWyze or Crystal Bowersox will be named this season's winner.
This morning, the sun hadn't even risen yet, and Mount Prospect's Village Green was well on its way this morning to becoming a sea of blankets and folding chairs in preparation of tonight's "American Idol" viewing party.
Fans of rocker Lee DeWyze began showing up a little after 5 a.m., Public Works Director Glen Andler said.
"We had almost 9,000 people come to the parade, and we think nearly that many will be here tonight," he said. "People called yesterday to see if they could camp out overnight, but we had to tell them no."
Public Works crews closed Busse and Emmerson about 1 p.m., making way for T-shirt and food vendors, as well as two beer tents.
"Idol" crews also were setting up the large metal camera boom that will swing over the audience for live shots.
• Staff Writer Ashok Selvam contributed to this report.
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<h1>More Coverage</h1>
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<h2>Stories</h2>
<ul class="links">
<li><a href="/story/?id=383762">Mt. Prospect 'Idol' party on, despite the weather<span class="date">[05/26/2010]</span></a></li>
<li><a href="/story/?id=383619">'Idol' wager: Tony Packo's hot dogs vs. Mt. Prospect goodies <span class="date">[05/26/2010]</span></a></li>
<li><a href="/story/?id=383624">Fans loyal to DeWyze though performance didn't wow judges <span class="date">[05/26/2010]</span></a></li>
<li><a href="/story/?id=383457">'American Idol' choice not crystal clear<span class="date"> [5/26/10]</span></a></li>
<li><a href="/story/?id=383499">No 'disbeLeevers' in Mount Prospect crowd'<span class="date"> [5/25/10]</span></a></li>
<li><a href="/story/?id=381054">When Lee DeWyze was 'Hoodie Guy' at Potato Creek Johnny's <span class="date">[05/16/10]</span></a></li>
<li><a href="/story/?id=380716">Returning to the suburbs today, it's Lee! <span class="date">[05/14/10]</span></a></li>
<li><a href="/story/?id=380625">Where will Lee be six months from now? Success not guaranteed <span class="date">[05/14/10]</span></a></li>
<li><a href="/story/?id=380561">Lee DeWyze: From Mount Prospect to Hollywood and home again <span class="date">[05/13/10]</span></a></li>
<li><a href="/story/?id=380562">Where to buy Lee DeWyze merchandise <span class="date">[05/13/10]</span></a></li>
<li><a href="/story/?id=380563">Want the DeWyze catalog? $53 on iTunes <span class="date">[05/13/10]</span></a></li>
<li><a href="/story/?id=378339">Between paint sales, Mt. Prospect store is Lee DeWyze central <span class="date">[05/05/10]</span></a></li>
<li><a href="/story/?id=372793">DeWyze almost ditched 'American Idol' audition <span class="date">[04/13/10]</span></a></li>
<li><a href="/story/?id=371153">Mount Prospect native's 'Idol' contract means death of band <span class="date">[04/06/10]</span></a></li>
<li><a href="/story/?id=369631">Lee tees are all the rage at Prospect High School <span class="date">[03/30/10]</span></a></li>
<li><a href="/story/?id=368014">Local 'Idol' finalist DeWyze got his start pushing porridge <span class="date">[03/23/10]</span></a></li>
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<h2>Video</h2>
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<h2>Photo Galleries</h2>
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<li><a href="/story/?id=380767">Images from Lee DeWyze Day</a></li>
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<h2>Related links</h2>
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<li><a href="http://www.americanidol.com/contestants/season_9/lee_dewyze/">DeWyze on americanidol.com </a></li>
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