Event planned Saturday to welcome home local contestant on 'The Voice'

HUDSON — This season on The Voice, NBC's popular talent show, Shalyah Fearing of Hudson finished among the top eight contestants. And this weekend, Fearing will be the guest of honor at a community celebration.

Welcome Home Shalyah, a homecoming celebration for Fearing, will take place from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at SunWest Park, 173620 Old Dixie Highway in Hudson. Admission is free, with fees being charged for refreshments and parking.

The 16-year-old Fearing, one of eight children, will perform live with Fearing Star, a band that includes her brothers and sisters. The '70s Band also will perform, and Pasco County Commissioner Jack Mariano, as well as West Pasco Chamber of Commerce representatives, will make honorary presentations to the young singer.

"We watched you excel in that competition," Mariano told Fearing at a May 27 planning meeting for the event. "The whole community is behind you."

Fearing, recovering from a sinus infection that struck her during her final week on the show, is pleased to be back in Hudson.

"This is my home, and it always will be," she said.

Saturday's event was conceptualized by Steve Schurdell, managing partner at Greatest Hits 106 FM, and John Gilliss, dealer principal at Friendly Kia in New Port Richey.

"I was excited to hear that there was a girl from Hudson on The Voice. And from her very first song, I loved what she did on the show," said Schurdell. "When it came to planning her homecoming, John and I decided to make it happen."

Crystal Thomas-Fearing, Shalyah's mom, hopes that this will be one of many community events to feature her daugher's talents.

"We are here to do whatever we can for this community," she said.

Fearing, who plans to record a CD in the next year, agrees.

"I had no idea that so many people would be here to welcome me home," she said. "It's amazing."