CORALVILLE - Warm up your vocal chords, "American Idol" is coming to Coral Ridge Mall.

The popular TV show will send producers to the mall to conduct auditions later this month during one of the area's busiest weekends as college students return for the fall semester.

To compete in ‘American Idol’ • Contestants must be U.S. citizens and 16 to 28 years old by Aug. 4, 2004. • Contestants cannot line up for auditions until 6 a.m. Aug. 21. • Bring two forms of identification that show proof of age and a photograph. • Contestants younger than 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. • Do not wear clothing that reveals tattoos, shows designer names or any type of logo. • Be prepared to sing without music to a song of your choice. • Contestants are not allowed to use musical instruments during auditions. Source: "American Idol"

Residents can compete in a regional competition to vie for a spot in one of five "American Idol" national competitions. The regional competition is Aug. 21, said Sheila Boyd, spokeswoman for Coral Ridge Mall.

"If you win this competition, you're guaranteed a spot at the nationals," Boyd said.

American Idol attracts thousands of amateur singers to compete for a national recording contract. At least 50,000 people competed during the second season of the show, according to the "American Idol" Web site. Three famous judges, singer Paula Abdul, record executive Simon Cowell and producer Randy Jackson, select the finalists.

Abdul, Cowell and Jackson are not expected to attend the Coralville tryouts.

The first major audition for "American Idol's" fourth season is scheduled to begin Wednesday in Cleveland. Other major auditions are scheduled this month in St. Louis, Washington, D.C., Orlando and New Orleans.

Winners of the major auditions and the smaller regional competitions across the country will go on to compete in televised auditions in front of the three celebrity judges.