Julia Gagnon sings for the crowd Friday night during the Lewiston/Auburn Liberty Festival in Veterans Memorial Park in Lewiston. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal

LEWISTON — The people of Lewiston and Auburn were pretty psyched to have “American Idol” star Julia Gagnon taking the stage on day two of the Liberty Festival.

Turns out that Gagnon was just as happy to be here.

“I’ve lived in Maine all my life so I’ve been here a few times,” the Cumberland woman said, “but I never got to stop and really take it all in. I’m excited.”

Gagnon, in corduroy overalls and a cowboy hat, has also been impressed with the people of this city after what they endured last October as a result of the mass shooting and all the horror that followed.

“After all that happened, I wanted to do a song for Lewiston, but never got the chance,” she said. “So tonight I’m going to dedicate our “Here in Maine” song to them.”

As the crowds began to pile into Veterans Memorial Park early Friday evening, there was no getting around it. Many of those who came were here to see and hear Gagnon specifically.

“People are really excited to see her,” Cathy McDonald, organizer of the festival, said. “They’ve been emailing us and calling us like crazy about it.”

“The entire state has enjoyed following Julia on ‘American Idol,'” Mayor Carl Sheline said. “She has a fantastic voice and we’re happy to have her here in Lewiston for the Liberty Festival.”

Julia Gagnon sings for the crowd Friday night during the Lewiston/Auburn Liberty Festival in Veterans Memorial Park in Lewiston. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal

And what a great way to celebrate the midpoint of the event — this was the first time The Lewiston/Auburn Liberty Festival had been stretched over three days. On day two, there was a lot going on, including stage appearances from the Country Roads band and local musician Josh Hatfield.

There were food trucks and vendor tents and the promise of great things to come.

But the zeal for Julia Gagnon was evident in everyone you talked to.

“That’s what brought me down here, all right,” said Tina Corliss, who came from Palymra with her 13-year-old daughter Emma. “I heard she was coming and I said, “I’m definitely going.’ She’s so good. She’s very, very good.”

Same for Sue Dunn, who lives in Auburn. She was banked out in a lawn chair, a ways back from the stage. Like others, Dunn acknowledged that the festival had plenty to offer.

But come on. It’s Julia Gagnon, who competed in the top seven of the most recent season of “American Idol.” The singer wowed the whole world with her rendition of Whitney Houston’s “Run to You” in the early rounds.

Sue Dunn, left, of Auburn takes a selfie Friday night with Julia Gagnon and her guitar player and fiance, Nate Haven, right, during the Lewiston/Auburn Liberty Festival in Veterans Memorial Park in Lewiston.

“I just love her kind of raspy voice,” Dunn said. “And we need some uplifting things here right now.”

In spite of her success on “American Idol,” Gagnon apparently hasn’t been transformed into an elusive and unapproachable star. Hours ahead of her performance, she was all over the place in Veterans Memorial Park, signing autographs, posing for selfies or just mingling with her fans and chatting about this or that.

She was friendly, accommodating and genuinely interested in the lives of those who swarmed around her.

“I just talked to her,” Dunn said. “She told me that she has some great plans for touring the state of Maine and all that. I just know she’s going to do great in Nashville, too.”

Gagnon took the stage around 7 p.m., which turned out to be a stellar way to mark the midpoint of the three-day festival.

It all wraps up Saturday with a flag retirement ceremony that will feature the 195th Maine Army National Guard Band. Attendees are welcome to bring any flags that may need to be retired.