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“American Idol” finalist Kellie Pickler got a hometown welcome Saturday, one full of tearful twists and an anthem to independence.

Pickler rode in a red 1968 Ford Mustang during a 20-minute parade, followed by speeches on a stage erected in the town center where thousands wore pink, purple, green and yellow Pickler T-shirts.

“It looks like a bag of Skittles poured on Albemarle,” said Pickler, 19. “I couldn’t have come from a better hometown.”

Sharing the stage were her two grandfathers, Clyde Pickler and Ken Morton. Also there were her father, Clyde “Bo” Pickler Jr., and her half-brother, Eric, 5.

She was reunited with her father late last week after he was released from Florida State Prison. He served time for stabbing a man about three years ago and trying to run down pursuing police.

“Throughout my 19 years, I’ve had my ups and downs,” Pickler admitted onstage when she turned her focus to her father.

“I know a lot of people would think I’d have a lot of resentment toward this person, and I don’t. I feel blessed to have him back into my life.”

And then, addressing the crowd, she said, “I’ve been prayerful when this person came back to Albemarle, he’d be given a second chance. We all make mistakes and we all learn from them.”

With her voice cracking, she turned to her father and said, “I love you. And am so glad to have you back in my life.”

Bo Pickler stood and hugged his daughter, lifting her off the floor for 30 seconds, then dried his eyes when he sat back down.

She sings anyway

Pickler thanked the crowd for supporting her and apologized if she’d embarrassed anyone with her rural orientation — an ignorance of calamari, pronouncing “salmon” without a silent “L,” her surprise about spinach salad.

At that, the crowd began hooting for a song.

“American Idol” producers, who keep contestants in close check during and immediately after their show appearances, don’t want the singers to perform outside the “Idol” matrix. Producers ruled out Pickler singing even the national anthem at Saturday’s ceremony.

Pickler weighed the pros and cons for a minute, then made up her mind.

“I’m going to get in so much trouble for this,” she said, “but what are they going to do — kick me off the show?”

With that, she cleared her throat and belted out “The Star-Spangled Banner” so powerfully, it was audible for blocks.

Busy months ahead

Pickler gave Albemarle a flash of Hollywood, appearing in the knee-high boots she’d worn for the “American Idol” episode focusing on the music of Queen, black jeans, a low-cut blouse and her hair cut back into a bob.

Pickler plans to go to Nashville, Tenn., next week, to meet with music producers. She will return to Los Angeles later this month for rehearsals and the finale of “American Idol.”

Then she joins the other top 10 vocalists from the show for a national tour, which reaches Charlotte on Aug. 1 and will include the other two North Carolinians in the top 10 — Chris Daughtry of McLeansville and Bucky Covington of Rockingham.

Bucky Covington’s day, too

Forty miles southeast of Albemarle, Covington was honored by his hometown on Saturday, too.

About 5,000 people, estimated event coordinator Kim Williams, came to the “Bucky Bash” in Rockingham’s business district.

Covington’s twin brother, Rocky, was among the performers, and Bucky joined him onstage, though he didn’t sing.

He posed for pictures, signed autographs and met fans for hours.

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