Sedro-Woolley Teen Lilly Hobbs to Host Live Fundraiser in Bellingham Ahead of American Idol Audition
A Skagit County teen with a voice and a dream is preparing for one of the biggest opportunities of her life. Lilly Hobbs, an 18-year-old recent graduate of Sedro-Woolley High School now living in Mount Vernon, has been accepted to audition for American Idol. To help make that journey possible, she will host a live performance and community fundraiser on Saturday, October 18, 2025, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Bayou on Bay, located at 1300 Bay Street in downtown Bellingham.
The event is being organized as part of Hobbs’ effort to cover the costs of traveling to Nashville for her first on-screen audition with the popular television competition. Entry to the performance has no fixed price, but organizers suggest a donation of $10. Attendees are encouraged to give what they can, with every dollar going directly toward her travel, lodging, food, and transportation expenses.
For Hobbs, this milestone is the result of years of persistence and passion. She has been singing for as long as she can remember, performing at her graduation ceremony and in front of local audiences at Big Lake Bar & Grill and Elemental Cider in Arlington. Even without formal music lessons, she taught herself the fundamentals of music and continues to practice every day, often fitting in rehearsals during her commute or between shifts at her jobs.
“I don’t think I ever just one day picked up on music,” Hobbs told Bellingham Metro News in a recent interview. “It’s something I’ve always had with me. My family will tell you the same thing — I’ve been singing since I could talk.”
The chance to audition for American Idol represents more than television exposure. For Hobbs, it’s proof that her lifelong dream is within reach. “This opportunity means that the dream and passion I’ve had my whole life isn’t just going to waste,” she said. “I’m not willing to give it up. This is me taking the next steps.”
The support she has already received from her community has left her both humbled and inspired. “I could have never imagined in a million years the support I’ve received from everyone, even people I don’t know,” she said. “I think it’s so beautiful how a community comes together to support their people in so many ways.”
The previous interview conducted by Fernando Gonzalez of Bellingham Metro News with Lily Hobbs has a amassed over half of a million views on Facebook and thousands of likes and hundreds of shares, showing that the community is rallying behind Lily Hobbs and her American Idol audition.
The October 18 fundraiser is not just about raising money, but it’s also a chance for the public to experience Hobbs’ talent live before she takes her voice to the national stage. Guests can expect a heartfelt performance of both originals and well-known songs, offered in the soulful, lyric-driven style that has defined her music so far.
Those who cannot attend in person can still support Hobbs through her active fundraising efforts, including an ongoing GoFundMe campaign. Every contribution, big or small, helps bring her closer to Nashville and the dream she has carried since childhood.
Doors open at 6 p.m., with music beginning shortly afterward. Bayou on Bay, known for its support of live entertainment, provides the setting for what is expected to be a memorable evening filled with music, community spirit, and the kind of support that makes dreams possible.
And once again, there is no fixed fee for the concert, but attendees are encouraged to give a donation upon entry.
As Lilly Hobbs prepares to represent Sedro-Woolley, Mount Vernon, and the broader Northwest Washington community on a national stage, she says she is more motivated than ever. “Every bit of support means the world,” she said. “This is only the beginning.”
Also check out other Nonprofit events in Bellingham, Entertainment events in Bellingham, Concerts in Bellingham.
