Community Corner
Video: Thousands Come Out to Support American Idol Finalist Nick Fradiani Jr.
Thousands of people came out to the parade and concert. Fradiani said he was blown away by the number of people.
By Rich Scinto, Patch Editor
Connecticut’s American Idol Season 14 finalist Nick Fradiani Jr. came home to a hero’s welcome after being out of town for three months as he advances toward the final rounds of the show.
Thousands of fans lined the streets of Fradiani’s hometown of Guilford for a parade and concert on the Green.
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Fradiani was blown away by the turnout and support.
“That is the craziest thing I’ve seen in my entire life,” he said. “...when we turned that corner I was at a loss for words and I couldn’t believe what I saw.”
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Fradiani and his Beach Avenue bandmates hadn’t played together in about seven months, but that didn’t stop them from rocking out to a jam-packed Green.
“If I can get every one of those people to vote for me I think I’m in pretty good shape,” he said.
On the stage, he said he didn’t feel like he deserved a parade and gave a shout-out to a friend who served two military tours in the Middle East.
Residents squeezed into the area around the green to catch a glimpse of Fradiani as he made his way to the stage.
“It’s the best thing that’s happened in Guilford in a long time,” said Paula Milnes.
She got into place around 2 p.m. for the parade that started around 3 and went past 4 p.m.
“I can’t believe how many people came,” she said. “This was a great turnout.”
Nick landed in Connecticut late Thursday where he sat in on the news for Fox CT and even did the weather forecast. (Watch the video here.)
At 11 a.m. Nick attended a rally at Guilford High School. Fradiani is a Guilford High School graduate. Gov. Dannel Malloy attended.
At 12:15 p.m. Nick visited Bishops Orchard in Guilford, which made national news when they named an ice cream after the singing sensation called “Fradiani Frenzy.” The ice cream was featured live on American Idol as Host Ryan Seacrest handed it out to the celebrity judges and his mother.
Nick is so popular in town that the Guilford schools operated under an early dismissal on Friday.
See related story: Results: America Decides Top 4 of American Idol Season 14
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