Photos Of Sung Hi Lee

'American Idol' Top 3 Visit Hometowns, Judges' Choice Songs Revealed

When it comes to "American Idol," the homestretch is homecoming week, a yearly tradition since season 1 and the moment for which every finalist pines. This year's trio -- Scotty McCreery, Lauren Alaina and Haley Reinhart -- like 27 before them, had one whirlwind weekend as they hit their respective hometowns to greet fans, reunite with family and friends, and give special performances as a thank you to their most loyal supporters. For good measure, fourth placer James Durbin was also received with a hero's welcome in his hometown of Santa Cruz, which was dubbed "Durbin Day." According to local media reports, some 30,000 people turned out. 

Haley Reinhart: Deer Park, Ill.

Haley's homecoming was a jam-packed day of fans, photos, autographs, and tears as suburban Chicagoans, for the second year in a row, came out in droves to support their "Idol" candidate. Haley kicked off her day at the AT&T store in Deer Park, where she met about 200 fans who had gathered outside, despite the drizzly weather. After pictures and autographs, fans begged Haley to sing. She politely declined, but promised to put on a show later that night at Arlington Park. 

Next, she returned to her alma mater, Wheeling High School, where she could already hear chants of her name as she hopped out of the black SUV, escorted by police. Inside, a gymnasium filled with 400 fans clad in printed "Haley" T-shirts anxiously awaited her arrival and delighted in the time she spent answering questions about her Idol journey. Afterwards, Haley led a motorcade to the Wheeling Village Hall on Wheeling Community College's campus, where more devotees gathered to hear her sing a few songs. 

As promised, her mini-concert at the end of night, during which she was joined onstage by her parents Harry and Patti, was, by local accounts, spectacular, drawing nearly 30,000 people to Arlington Park in inclement weather. Next week, Haley's fans will get to hear her best attempt at the Judges' Choice song, Alanis Morrisette's hit, "You Oughtta Know."

Scotty McCreery: Garner, N.C.

Garner, North Carolina went all-out for Scotty's homecoming celebration, with the Raleigh suburb spending over $60,000 to host over 30,000 fans for the weekend.  The 17-year old finalist has turned the town upside down, causing police to block off his neighborhood after throngs of fans descended on the McCreery house to sneak a peek.

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