News Update
Thousands cheer 'American Idol' finalist at parade, concert
Dan Eakin/Staff Photo - A huge crowd gathered on the south side of the McKinney Performing Arts Center to hear recent 'American Idol' finalist Hollie Cavanagh perform several of her songs Saturday morning.
By Dan Eakin, deakin@starlocalnews.com
About 5,000 people lined the streets of Historic Downtown McKinney on Saturday morning for a parade and concert to welcome home the "American Idol" finalist who gave the city national attention on prime-time television.
Hollie Cavanagh smiled and waved humbly at the crowd from a convertible as she rode in the parade and then appeared before a throng of people on the south side of the McKinney Performing Arts Center.
She was greeted by McKinney Mayor Brian Loughmiller who presented her with the key to the city and read a proclamation designating May 26 as "Hollie Cavanagh Day" in McKinney.
Rick McDaniel, principal at McKinney Boyd High School where Hollie graduated, presented her with a street sign that states Hollie Cavanagh Way. The sign is only an honorary one for now, but McKinney city staff is looking into possibly getting a street named after her.
Following the presentations, Hollie, accompanied by the Walton Stout Band, sang five songs for the crowd.
Prior to the parade, a McKinney Boyd band entertained the waiting crowd with several musical numbers.
In addition to Hollie, others in the parade included members of the McKinney Fire Department, McDaniel and Boyd cheerleaders, Loughmiller and his family, Mayor Pro Tem Travis Ussery, representatives of radio stations 106.1 KISS FM and 97.5 KLAK FM, members of the mounted patrol and Town Square Buzz representatives.
Convertibles were provided by Bob Tomes Ford.
Earlier this month, Hollie appeared as a top-four finalist on "American Idol" on both a Wednesday night and Thursday night.
She was eliminated that Thursday, but as one of the top-10 "American Idol" contestants, Hollie will perform on a national tour with "American Idol" starting within a few weeks.
The tour will be at the American Airlines Center in Dallas on July 29. Tickets are available at www.americanidol.com/tour.
Hollie Cavanagh smiled and waved humbly at the crowd from a convertible as she rode in the parade and then appeared before a throng of people on the south side of the McKinney Performing Arts Center.
She was greeted by McKinney Mayor Brian Loughmiller who presented her with the key to the city and read a proclamation designating May 26 as "Hollie Cavanagh Day" in McKinney.
Rick McDaniel, principal at McKinney Boyd High School where Hollie graduated, presented her with a street sign that states Hollie Cavanagh Way. The sign is only an honorary one for now, but McKinney city staff is looking into possibly getting a street named after her.
Following the presentations, Hollie, accompanied by the Walton Stout Band, sang five songs for the crowd.
Prior to the parade, a McKinney Boyd band entertained the waiting crowd with several musical numbers.
In addition to Hollie, others in the parade included members of the McKinney Fire Department, McDaniel and Boyd cheerleaders, Loughmiller and his family, Mayor Pro Tem Travis Ussery, representatives of radio stations 106.1 KISS FM and 97.5 KLAK FM, members of the mounted patrol and Town Square Buzz representatives.
Convertibles were provided by Bob Tomes Ford.
Earlier this month, Hollie appeared as a top-four finalist on "American Idol" on both a Wednesday night and Thursday night.
She was eliminated that Thursday, but as one of the top-10 "American Idol" contestants, Hollie will perform on a national tour with "American Idol" starting within a few weeks.
The tour will be at the American Airlines Center in Dallas on July 29. Tickets are available at www.americanidol.com/tour.
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