Civic Center becomes Phillips central - WALB.com, Albany News, Weather, Sports

Civic Center becomes Phillips central

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It all comes down to tomorrow night. America will decide if a Leesburg native will be the next American Idol. The city of Albany hopes thousands will turn out downtown to watch Phillip Phillips final performance and then get out their phones.

Downtown Albany will hold a voting party at the Civic Center.

The doors tomorrow will open at 7:00, they're encouraging you to bring the family, a lawn chair or a blanket, sit on the floor of the Civic Center and root Phillips on to become the next American Idol.

 Phillip Phillips has come a long way from singing on the parking deck for Nights at D-town in Albany. His father is an East Albany business owner and that's why Downtown Albany feels compelled to bring the community together to root on the Leesburg native.

"He's been a big participant in what we do at the parking deck every month and as southwest Georgia I think it's great that we have a voting party," said Downtown Albany Manager Aaron Blair.

They're encouraging families to come out to the Civic Center free of charge to cheer Phillips on in the finale. "We have that 30 foot inflatable screen that we're going to set up on the floor."

Downtown businesses like The Pizza Shop say they'll stay open a little later for those who want a bite before the show. "We're big supporters of Phillip Phillips and everybody who's willing to come eat or just to stop by and help support him we'd love it," said The Pizza Shop Owner Elisa Darrah.

The shop is a Phillips family favorite. "We normally see them once a week, we see somebody from out of the group and they come here and we enjoy their company and of course we always have to ask how Phillip is," Darrah said.

Albany's Recreation and Parks Department hopes for a good crowd. "We can probably hold 10,000 people if we need to so it really could be great, it could be a fun thing to do," Blair said.

And they hope after the show everyone will pick up their phone and do the right thing.

The only thing you won't be allowed to bring in is your own snacks, however they will have the concession stands open. Again the event is free, and they're hoping for a large crowd.

Remember this week the performance show is on Tuesday. Voting is Tuesday Night, not Wednesday night as it has been all season.

 

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