Uptown Normal preps for hometown parade and concert for American Idol finalist

Posted on May 17, 2022
Primary entry for the concert will take place at the intersection of North Street and Uptown Circle. Attendees will be required to pass through security checks. (Facebook/Leah Marlene)

By Jake Fogal

BLOOMINGTON – She’s in the Top 3 of American Idol and she’s coming home. Leah Marlene will be rejoicing with fans on today as the Town of Normal is organizing a parade and concert in Uptown Normal.

The community is invited to join in the festivities celebrating Marlene’s milestone achievement as a top-3 American Idol contestant. Civic Arts Manager for the Town of Normal, Adam Fox, shared more details regarding the event.

“The public performance aspect of things, the part we want everybody to come out for, begins in Uptown Normal starting at 6:00 p.m. There will be a parade on Beaufort Street, from Linden through the Circle,” Fox said.

Marlene will then meet Normal Mayor Chris Koos, who will be issuing a proclamation designating May 17th, ‘Leah Marlene Day.’ Leah is expected to take the stage at 7:30 near the Normal Theater for a hometown concert.

Primary entry for the concert will take place at the intersection of North Street and Uptown Circle. Attendees will be required to pass through security checks. Backpacks, purses and other non-essential bags are prohibited within the concert area.

Event details are subject to change; any updates will be posted online at UptownNormal.com.

Following the concert, the Normal native will journey back to Los Angeles to prep for the season finale of American Idol, which airs this Sunday at 7:00 on Heart of Illinois ABC.

Jake Fogal can be reached at [email protected].

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