Support for "American Idol's" Lindsey Cardinale has spread beyond the singer's Ponchatoula hometown to include the entire parish.

Tangipahoa Parish President Gordon Burgess declared today Lindsey Cardinale Day.

The proclamation released by the parish government said "citizens and fans of Tangipahoa Parish are proud of their native girl and the distinction she brought upon herself and her community."

Each Tuesday before the singer competes on FOX's live reality show, fans in Ponchatoula stand on street corners yelling at passersby to vote for the 20-year-old star.

Neighboring fans in Hammond plan to show their support in the same manner this evening by gathering downtown waving signs and encouraging people to vote.

Ellen Sweetman of Hammond, Cardinale's former choir teacher at Ponchatoula High School, said fans will be gathered at the railroad tracks downtown near Brady's and at the Chamber of Commerce at 5:30 p.m.

"We're trying to get everybody fired up," Sweetman said this morning, adding that local Hammond businesses will have messages on their marquises supporting Cardinale.

After campaigning, the crowds will head to Brady's to watch the live show, which will air tonight at 7 on WVUE Channel 8.

Cardinale, who currently resides in Beverly Hills while on the show, was able to share her gratitude for her multitude of dedicated fans late last week.

"I just want to tell them thank you so much," she said Thursday during a telephone interview with The Daily Star from California. "There are no words to tell them how much I appreciate it. I wish I could be there with them. It just means so much to me."

Tonight's performance and viewers' call-in votes will determine the local singer's fate on the show. The results will be revealed Wednesday at 8 p.m.

For Cardinale, to make it in the top 12 would be an honor. Six guys and six girls chosen Wednesday will get to compete together each week on Tuesday nights with one finalist being eliminated the following day.

Despite some tough criticism from celebrity judge Simon Cowell last week for her upbeat performance of "I Try to Think about Elvis," Cardinale said she will continue taking risks when making song selections and views the criticism as constructive.

Last week, she wanted to show America that she doesn't have such the quiet image many have assumed.

"If am the next to go, I'm still happy," she said. "I've made it this far."

But it's always hard to be in the hot seat during the "results show" when host Ryan Seacrest announces who will be going home.

Cardinale relates the experience to being on "Survivor," adding that most of the contestants feel dazed and confused.

"I'm really OK," she said. "If I don't smile, I look like I lost my best friend. I'm really OK. I just keep reminding myself that it's going to be OK."

Watching the last Louisiana semi-finalist, David Brown, get cut last week was also hard for Cardinale.

"I haven't cried yet, but I did cry last night because David was gone," she said. "We kind of stuck together."

Before Brown left, he told Cardinale to "just keep it in Louisiana," she recalled.

If Cardinale's journey on "American Idol" ends Wednesday, she plans to return to college and focus on education.

"My dream doesn't end here," she said.