Fans Show Support For Haley at Idol's Homecoming

Saturday's trip to Arlington Park was an extra special day for Kalista Heeren, of Algonquin, who was celebrating her 12th birthday and sported a birthday crown and yellow rain coat with all kinds of messages to her “American Idol.”

The 12-year-old couldn't wait to see Haley Reinhart perform at Arlington Park Saturday. She arrived hours ahead of schedule to get a seat for Haley's hometown performance.

The Heeren family are big "American Idol" fans, they said.

“We’ve watched it every year since she was 3,” her mom, Kristin Doane said.

Heeren was at last year’s homecoming for Lee DeWyze but couldn’t get into the orchestra seats because she was too young.

But Saturday, she staked out her seat in that section early.

Traffic wasn’t bad at 3:30 p.m. when fans started trickling into the racetrack. The crowd was mixed with racing fans catching the last few horse races of the day and Haley fans, many of them young families.

The cold spring weather didn’t seem to be deterring fans.

Samantha Tadelman of Buffalo Grove, 19, came out to cheer Haley and bought a pin to show her support.

“I’m a fan of ‘American Idol’ but it’s exciting because she’s from around here,” the Columbia College photography student said. She brought her camera to shoot photos.

While Haley was not Tadelman’s first choice, she has gotten caught up in Haley fever.

“I hope she wins,” Tadelman said.

Kathy Braunz, of Chicago, and Ernesto Coronado, of Palatine, were selling T-shirts, the only ones who had Haley shirts for sale. The two are also fans.

Meghan Ginty, 6, of Wheaton, liked the shirts but the only sizes were large and extra large.

“You can sleep in it,” Braunz told the girl.

Ginty’s friend, Ellen Spurr, of Elmhurst, bought her a T-shirt even though it was huge on her.

Nicole Knapp, 11, of Schaumburg, Cassie Meadors, 7, of Barrington and Sydney Collins, 8, of Barrington, made their own signs that said things like “Go Haley, You Rock” and peace signs.

Cassie likes Haley’s singing, she said. The three have been watching "American Idol" and think Haley can win.

Cassie likes to sing but isn’t sure she’s want to grow up to be a singer. Her mom, Char, encourages her to always sing.

“We sing all the time, it doesn’t matter how you sound, just sing” Char Meadors said. “It’s just (something) that makes you happy.”

Carly Tkach, 16,  Hannah Fitzpatrick, 16 and Alyssa Peterson, 15, got to the race park early and grabbed some drinks while they waited. The concert was being delayed but everyone’s sprits were up.

“We love Haley,” Tkach said of why they came out to the concert.

The girls have been following “American Idol” since the beginning of the season and Peterson picked Haley out as an early favorite.

“I liked her singing and later I found out she was from around here,” the teen said.

Tkach and Peterson both sing in the Conant High School choir, singing alto and soprano, respectively, and know what it takes to hit high notes.

“I feel like she (Haley) knows what she’s doing,” Peterson said, adding she felt Haley’s performance of Michael Jackson’s “Earth Song” was great.

Of the little controversy that has erupted around that performance, where Haley defended herself against some of the judges’ comments, Peterson said it’s all an overreaction.

“She’s just defending herself,” Peterson said.

“She’s very confident,” Tkach said.

The teens felt that was a good trait and Haley was a good role model as a result.

Marianne Leonard, of Wheeling, is very excited about Haley, a hometown girl. Leonard has a Facebook page where she’ll be putting all her photos from today, including one she got of Haley up close.

Leonard is a graduate of Wheeling High School. Everyone in Wheeling has been voting for Haley and talking about each performance. A popular local restaurant that the American Idol start frequents, Grammy D’s, has a Haley special. It’s her favorite, the chocolate chip pancakes, Leonard said.

“We are behind her 100 percent,” she said.

Adrianna Ladner made her own sign and laminated to protect it from the rain. She came with her brother, Zach, 21, and her friend Rachael Gabanski, 16.

Zack came with his sister but, “I like Haley too. I feel like a teeny bopper saying when I say it,” he said, laughing.

The Ladner family likes her “unique” singing style and the fact she is local.

“I love how it’s back-to-back years that we have people who live near me who’ve made it this far,” Zach said.

Did you go to Arlington Park for the performance? Share your photos from the event!