© 2024 WGLT
A public service of Illinois State University
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Normal West will host another Leah Marlene watch party. Redbird Arena will hold its own party

Leah Marlene singing
Emily Bollinger
/
WGLT
Leah Marlene performed for a crowd of several thousand people in Uptown Normal on Tuesday.

Normal West High School plans to host another Leah Marlene watch party on Sunday night for the American Idol finale. It’s the third straight week the school has opened its doors to cheer on its favorite alum who aiming for the talent show’s top prize.

Illinois State University athletics announced Friday it will host its own watch party with Radio Bloomington.

John Bierbaum teaches social studies at Normal West and had Marlene as a student. Bierbaum said the school watch party drew about 500 people last Sunday when Marlene became a finalist. He said there's so much Leah Marlene mania, it's likely both watch parties will be hopping.

“I hope to have enough tickets for a lot of the public and hopefully we can both do this event,” Bierbaum said. “If we get any turnout like they did at Uptown, we are going to need a lot more watch parties.”

American Idol finalist Leah Marlene performed for a crowd of thousands in Uptown Normal on Tuesday.
Emily Bollinger
/
WGLT
American Idol finalist Leah Marlene performed for a crowd of thousands in Uptown Normal on Tuesday.

A crowd estimated at several thousand came to Uptown Normal on Tuesday for Marlene’s homecoming parade and concert.

“She speaks for so many students who are just trying to follow their passion and find their calling and she is just an amazing example and inspiration for all of our students and anyone around here,” Bierbaum said.

Normal West is touting what it calls the largest screen in town at 40 feet to watch American Idol. Bierbaum said the watch party at West will cater more to Unit 5 families.

The preparty at Normal West starts at 5 p.m. in the school parking lot. There will food trucks, concessions, face painting, caricature drawings, yard games and other activities. Tickets cost $3.

The Redbird Arena watch party is free. Doors open at 6 p.m.

Eric Stock is the News Director at WGLT. You can contact Eric at ejstoc1@ilstu.edu.