Elk Grove hosts an American Idol-style contest

Elk Grove Village's Christine Allen will take the stage this weekend, singing the Cheap Trick classic, "I Want You to Want Me."

The music major picked the song for the first-ever Elk Grove Idol competition because it will likely appeal to a younger audience, while older adults will bop along with her, she said.

She's been practicing all week in the hopes of becoming the village's first idol.

"I've done lots of singing in the shower," said Allen, 22, who graduated from Conant High School, and who's now attending Carthage College in Kenosha, Wis. "Lots of singing in the car too."

Fourteen people will be competing in the event at 6 p.m. Sunday at Morton Park, at the corner of Kennedy Boulevard and Brantwood Avenue.

The competition will be held in conjunction with the Elk Grove Park District's annual block party, which is from 3 to 6 p.m. Activities will include volleyball, baggos, water activities, face painting, tattoos and arts and crafts.

The youngest contestant in Elk Grove Idol will be 8 years old. The oldest singers will be in their mid-20s, said Debbie DeLorenzo, the park district's arts and special events coordinator.

Most of the contestants are teens from Elk Grove Village, she said.

The idol competition is a new twist to the district's summer concert series, where different bands play on the lawn next to the Pavilion, 1000 Wellington Ave., park district official said.

"The arts coordinator had wanted some type of singing competition for a long time, and (Elk Grove Idol) seemed like it'd be a fun fit with the block party," said Diane Malinowski, park district spokeswoman.

A karaoke band will play the singers' chosen songs from its play list, previously provided to contestants.

Three park district judges will decide who will take home the top three prizes. Cash and gift certificates totaling $500 await those who take those spots.

For more information, call the park district at (847) 437-9494.