'Glee' Fans Crash Potomac Yard

Never underestimate the fortitude of “Glee” fans.

Hundreds of Gleeks—a name proudly worn by devoted followers of the Fox television program—braved Thursday’s heat advisory and waited hours outdoors for a chance to meet select cast members at the at Potomac Yard Center in Alexandria.

“Finn will be here and that’s all that matters,” said Caitlin Dipaolo, a high school student from Woodbridge who skipped class to arrive at the event at 10:30 a.m.

Actor Cory Monteith, who portrays Finn on the award-winning musical program, appeared to be the main draw among fans. Actresses Jenna Ushkowitz and Naya Rivera, who play Tina Cohen-Chang and Santana Lopez, respectively, were also on hand for a two-hour meet and greet that started at 1 p.m.

The cast was in the area for a Thursday evening concert at Verizon Center.

Claudia Avila, a rising third-year student at the University of Virginia from Prince William County, arrived at 8:30 a.m. for a chance to meet the cast and hopefully win tickets to the evening’s show.

“I wanted to meet the cast members guaranteed,” she said.

AT&T cellular customers were given the opportunity to move to the front of the line, so Avila was shuffled back despite arriving earlier than most.

Still, it didn’t seem to bother her as she stood in the shade of a tree sipping a free slushie provided by organizers. Others bided their time singing Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’,” one of many tunes the show has adapted for its glee club performances. 

Along with the free slushies, fans enjoyed an interactive photo area, displays from Samsung and music provided by local radio station HOT 99.5 FM. The choir was scheduled to sing a cappella as well.

While the assembled Gleeks appeared to be mostly younger women, the crowd also included a wide swath of people of different ages and races. Some fans said that was because the show has a universal appeal.

“The show has a lot of diversity,” Dipaolo said. “It pretty much appeals to anybody and all ages.”

Stefanie Bannon, another rising third-year student at Virginia, said the show is immensely popular on campus. She said she watches the program with a group of students every week.

“I message family members while they’re watching it too,” she said.

The fans let out a cheer when a black Chevy SUV carrying the cast members pulled up to the store shortly before 1 p.m. The cheers grew louder as each actor hopped out of the car and gave a wave before walking inside the air-conditioned store to await the army of admirers.

“We had other plans today, but my mom heard [the event] announced on the radio,” Bannon said. “We decided to come because we might not ever have a chance to meet Finn again.”