If (when) David comes home for the Top Three Trip Home, he gets to sing and throw out the first pitch at a Royals game!

David Cook's homecoming to include a concert

By Stephanie L. Boothe | stephanie.boothe@examiner.net

David Cook is coming home - they hope.

A parade in honor of one of Blue Springs most famous natives is planned for the "American Idol" hopeful Friday - if he isn't voted off the show.

And for Debbie Whisler, president of the Blue Springs Chamber of Commerce, that means one important fact.

"People need to vote," Whisler said. "Vote early and vote often."

The parade is set to begin at 3 p.m. Friday at Moreland School Road and Adams Diary Parkway. The route goes north to Ryan Road - the back entrance to Cook's alma mater, Blue Springs South High School.

Inside the Larry Stewart Memorial Stadium, Cook will receive a key to the city and other gifts from hometown supporters. After a brief presentation headed by Mayor Carson Ross, Cook will perform a few songs acoustically.

"It pumps you up," Whisler said. "It's good for the community.

Merideth Parrish, the public information officer for the city, is confident Cook will make it to the final three.

"We've watched him from week to week, and he's never been in the bottom two," Parrish said.

Parrish has done the bulk of the planning for the parade and said there will be a parade at a later date if Cook is voted this week, but she's hopeful the parade will go on as planned.

"We're taking a vested interest in this, and we want to see him come home," Parrish said. "We definitely want people to vote."

Tickets for the stadium event will be available beginning at 9 a.m. Tuesday at Blue Springs South High School, Blue Springs High School, the Blue Springs Board of Education offices, the Chamber of Commerce office and City Hall. The tickets are free, though the school district is suggesting a $5 donation to the American Cancer Society. The funds will be donated in the name of Cook and his brother, Adam.

Doors to the stadium open at 3 a.m. the day of the parade. Following the assembly, Cook will be escorted outaround 5:30 p.m., to go to Kauffman Stadium. He will throw out the first pitch of the Royals game and sing "Take Me Out the Ball Game."

For more information on tickets, the David Cook Homecoming hot line is 816-655-0490. More information is at www.bluespringsgov.com.