Salisbury will host a homecoming event on Friday for Jay Copeland, the recent “American Idol” star and participant.

The free performance and community event will be held beginning at 7 p.m. in Downtown Salisbury, complete with music, entertainment, food trucks and more.

Copeland will perform “Idol” hits and other favorites, live on an outdoor stage used for the National Folk Festival. 

The stage and viewing area will be held at the intersection of Times Square and South Division Street, on the hillside where the TidalHealth Stage is set up for the Folk Festival.

Gates will open at 6 p.m., and the show will begin at 7 p.m. This is a free, family-friendly event.

“Our community partners and I are so proud of everything that Jay has accomplished, both here at home and as an American Idol contestant,” said Mayor Jake Day. “This event is a representation of the power that the arts have to bring together a community. We are excited to have the opportunity to host Jay for his first solo performance in this new stage of his career.”

The show will be primarily standing room only, though there will be a limited number of chairs available for those who wish to sit. Guests are welcome to bring chairs, blankets, or towels to sit on the grass. 

Parking will be available in Lot 1 or the Downtown Salisbury parking garage, which are both located on Circle Avenue across from the Wicomico Library. South Division Street will be closed between Main Street and East Carroll Street to allow guests to safely walk from their cars to the event space.

“It should come as no surprise that our community partners are answering the bell to make this free celebration concert a reality,” says Mike Dunn, President and CEO of the Greater Salisbury Committee. “The second the Copeland family contacted us last week, the planning and fundraising began. There has been an overwhelming response. It’s time to celebrate our hometown American Idol, James M. Bennett and Salisbury University graduate Jay Copeland.”

In the event of inclement weather, the performance will be relocated to Maggs Gym at Salisbury University. Please check the City of Salisbury Facebook page for updates. 

The event is made possible by Jay Copeland and the Copeland/Ryder family, Salisbury University, Greater Salisbury Committee, TidalHealth, Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce, Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore, United Way of the Lower Eastern Shore, Wicomico County Public Schools, Wicomico County Education Foundation, Wicomico County Tourism, Perdue Farms, The Richard A. Henson Foundation, Avery Hall Insurance, Delmarva Veteran Builders, Pohanka of Salisbury and WMDT TV47.