American Idol's Carrie Underwood returns to Checotah for a quick visit

It was a big day Friday in Checotah in McIntosh County. Hometown girl and American Idol contestant Carrie Underwood was home for a quick visit. <br/><br/>The town staged a parade in her honor, and News

Friday, May 13th 2005, 10:58 am

By: News On 6

It was a big day Friday in Checotah in McIntosh County. Hometown girl and American Idol contestant Carrie Underwood was home for a quick visit.

The town staged a parade in her honor, and News on 6 reporter Rick Wells was there for the big celebration.

This is Carrie Underwood's first big homecoming to Checotah since she was selected as a contestant on American Idol. She's one of the final three and got to come home for a quick visit to Checotah.

Folks were staking out a spot Friday morning hoping for a glimpse of their hometown girl. Don' think this is a big deal; there was even armed security on the roof tops.

I talked to a pair of young fans. Rick Wells: "you supposed to be in school?â€ Young fan: "Yes." Rick Wells: "But you're not." Young fan: â€œNo.â€ Actually nobody was, it was a special Carrie Underwood snow day for Checotah Schools.

The Wal-Mart brought its own cheer squad. As for the guest of honor all this was a little unexpected. Carrie Underwood: "Just a bit overwhelming, oh my gosh this is crazy."

Seemed like everyone on the street had a camera of some type hoping for a picture. At the park there were speeches and proclamations. Those that came to hear her sing weren't disappointed, all American Idol will let her sing outside the show is the national anthem, so she gave them a rousing rendition of that.

And in the home town of Carrie Underwood, they declared her the Idol winner on the spot. The song Carrie will sing on the next American Idol show is Shania Twain's "Man, I feel like a Woman."