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04/30/2015 12:00 AMNick Fradiani's spot in the top four of American Idol has earned him a trip home and the Town of Guilford is busy preparing to welcome its star back to his hometown as First Selectman Joe Mazza declared Friday, May 1 as Nick Fradiani Day.
Festivities begin at 3 p.m. with a parade along Whitfield Street to the Guilford Green before a concert at 4 p.m. featuring Fradiani and his bandmates, as well as Fradiani's father, Nick Fradiani, Sr. The event will be emceed by Renee DeNino of 105.9.
While Fradiani wasn't officially in the top four until Wednesday night, the producers of American Idol contacted the finalists' towns last week to discuss logistics for the traditional hometown visits.
"We got a heads up last week," said Selectman Charles Havrda. "We got our department heads together and got Marty Carlson to head up a committee to lead this. We put together a general outline and it has all gelled."
On Monday, the town told residents and students that if Fradiani made the final four, his visit would be on May 1 and schools would have an early dismissal to allow buses time for dismissal and students the opportunity to attend the celebration.
With Fradiani in the final four, the plans were set in stone, the early dismissal was announced, and the excitement is growing.
"It's building very strongly," said Havrda. "We've heard all sorts of numbers as far as attendance, from 3,000 to 5,000 to numbers twice that."
The Town of Guilford has been in contact with several other communities that have hosted American Idol homecoming days in the past and is also receiving help from neighboring communities with police and traffic needs.
"We have had other big events in town – the Billy Joel tribute band a few years ago drew 4,000 to 5,000 people and the Guilford Fair could draw twice as many over more hours," said Havrda. "We're using the tricks we learned dealing with those for this event."
Recommended parking areas include St. George Church (Whitfield St. – lot and lawn areas, handicapped parking), Guilford Fairgrounds (Lover's Lane), Thomas Griswold House Museum (Boston St.), Knights of Columbus Hall (South Union St.) Bethel Church (Boston St.), Guilford Community Center (Church St. – Rt.77), and Guilford Train Station (Old Whitfield Street). No parking will be available at Town Hall.
While the town is expecting a large crowd, only a small section of road will be closed as the parade will run from Rollwood Park (across from the Henry Whitfield Museum) and down Whitfield Street to the Green with the best viewing being along Whitfield Street.
Groups from two of Fradiani's alma maters will lead Fradiani and his family into town in the parade – the Guilford High School marching band and the fife and drum corps from St. Mary School in Branford.
There will be food trucks at the Green and many of the local restaurants and businesses have signs in the windows supporting Fradiani. The event has been funded partially from funds from the Parks and Recreation and by a "number of generous donations," according to Havrda. T-shirts were also donated and distributed.
"It's a Nick Fradiani event and we're trying to make it as nice as we can," said Havrda. "Students are encouraged to make signs. The weather should hold out and the excitement will be building throughout the day."