Connie Barker couldn’t stop smiling.
That’s because her longtime family friend – David Cook – is coming home.
Cook, a Blue Springs South High School graduate, made it into the top three of “American Idol” Wednesday night.
“I’m so excited,” Barker said. “I can’t wait for him to get back here and see what he’s done for this town.”
Cook will return home Friday to a day packed with appearances and shows all over the Kansas City area. The culmination of the day will be a parade down Adams Dairy Parkway in Blue Springs and a concert at Blue Springs South High School.
The homecoming festivities were contingent on Cook’s making it to the top three, which he easily did after performing “Hungry Like the Wolf” by Duran Duran and “Baba O’Riley” by The Who during Tuesday night’s show. Cook’s fate was announced within the first 15 minutes of the show in which Syesha Mercado and Jason Castro were the bottom two. Castro was sent home.
With a green light for a parade and rally in Cook’s honor, Meredith Parrish’s work is just beginning.
Parrish, public information officer for the city of Blue Springs, has been working with “American Idol” producers to organize the parade and rally at Blue Springs South (doors open at 3 p.m.).
“We are just elated,” Parrish said. “We are so excited he’s finally coming home.”
Friday’s parade includes the U.S. Marine Corps Color Guard, Mayor Carson Ross and the City Council, Cook’s family, members of the official David Cook Fan Club (consisting of several family friends), Aquila (where his mother works), Ronald McDonald, representatives from Central Missouri State University, members of Cook’s first band Axium, cheerleaders from Blue Springs South High School and the Jaguar Pride marching band.
Cook’s brother Andrew will ride with Cook. All of the vehicles in the parade will be Fords as Ford is the official sponsor of “American Idol.”
“It’s actually happening now,” Parrish said. “It really is like the Superbowl.”
Barker, who works at Aquila with Cook’s mother, is looking forward to being part of the parade.
“Everyone’s giving 110 percent to welcome him,” Barker said, adding she can’t wait to see Cook’s expression. “I think his eyes are just going to bulge, and he’s going to have the biggest smile.”
