SPECIAL EVENTS

In celebration of its much-anticipated 10th season, AMERICAN IDOL will launch IDOL ACROSS AMERICA, a biodiesel-fueled mobile experience tour traveling to 16 cities across the U.S. over a four-week period beginning Wednesday, Jan. 19. In Houston, Idol Across American visits the City Hall Farmer's Market Wednesday February 2, 2011,  11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.  RAIN OR SHINE.

Featuring: The Honorable Annise Parker, Mayor, City of Houston, Councilmember James Rodriguez, District 5 Laura Spanjian, Mayor Parker's Director of Sustainability Mark Bowen, Executive Director of Urban Harvest, School Students from Recipe’s For Success Student Garden Program, Over 40 Vendors from farmers, food trucks to top local chefs Brennan’s Executive Chef Danny Trace and t’afia’s Monica Pope, Texas native Michael Sarver, American Idol Top Ten Contestant, Umbrella Man Band.

During the mobile tour, visitors who are U.S. residents 15 years of age or older will have the opportunity to record their own take on the “This is AMERICAN IDOL…” introduction made famous by Ryan Seacrest and be entered into a nationwide contest for a chance to win a trip to Hollywood to deliver the famous line on the IDOL stage alongside Ryan! See information below for eligibility, complete rules and more information.

As part of the tour, fans will also have the opportunity to participate in the “Be Your Own Idol” singing experience and pose for photos – which they can pick up online and then upload to their favorite social-networking sites – at the IDOL judges’ table alongside life-size standees of host Ryan Seacrest and judges Randy Jackson, Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler.

In addition to viewing one-of-a-kind AMERICAN IDOL memorabilia – including framed platinum records, Ryan Seacrest’s suit, Carrie Underwood’s finale dress and David Cook’s guitar – and photos, fans can take a trip down memory lane by watching the special “Welcome Home” documentary that showcases all nine past IDOL winners.

The 10th season of AMERICAN IDOL kicks off with a two-night premiere Wednesday, Jan. 19 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) and Thursday, Jan. 20 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX.

City Hall is the center of Houston's government and is now home to the city's newest farmers market! City Hall Farmers Market, the newest in Urban Harvest's family of farmers markets, is being held every Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

WHERE: City Hall, 901 Bagby / Outside City Hall, around the Reflection Pool.