Associated Press
Published: April 18, 2008

WINCHESTER, Va. (AP) — An “American Idol” will serve as grand marshal of this year’s Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival.

Festival officials announced that Fantasia Barrino, the winner of the third season of the Fox TV show, will be the celebrity marshal for the Grand Feature parade on May 3.

The 23-year-old Barrino has gone from high school dropout to a four-time Grammy nominee and Broadway actress.

Fantasia followed her 2004 “American Idol” win by releasing her first CD “Free Yourself,” which has sold more than 2 million copies worldwide.

In April 2007, Fantasia debuted on Broadway, playing the lead role of Celie in the musical version of “The Color Purple.” She will star in the film version of the musical.