Everyone is invited to ‘get down’ this weekend, as Washington’s annual fall concert features an American Idol contestant and North Carolina native.

The Washington Harbor District Alliance will host Git Down Downtown on Saturday at Festival Park. The concert will feature Emily Minor, a Wilmington native, who will perform a variety of music, including original country songs, classic country and rock ‘n’ roll. The gate will open around 4:30 p.m.; opening for Minor will be Johnny Waters and Co. at 5:30 p.m. Minor will hit the stage at 7 p.m. and perform until 9 p.m.

“Whenever we play, we do a little bit of everything that people can enjoy,” Minor said. “It’s a lot of high energy. It’s just really good for the whole family, something different that gives you a chance to get out of the house. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”

Minor was a contestant on American Idol’s sixth season, an experience that made Minor realize she could make a career out of her musical talents, she said. Since her appearance on the show, Minor has performed at festivals each weekend, opened for national acts and done radio tours to promote her new single that landed on the charts, “Funky Feel Good.”

“I didn’t really grow up thinking singing was a real job,” Minor said. “When I did Idol, I went pretty far, and it was the first time I realized I could explore the singing thing a little bit farther.”

According to Beth Byrd, Washington Harbor District Alliance director, the organization’s fall concert event has been going on for several years under several different names. The first year, it featured a beach music act, resulting from Washington Mayor Mac Hodges attending a beach music festival in Greenville, that was organized by a friend.

Since, the WHDA has worked with the City of Washington to host a concert each year. The year before last, it was a Motown act. Last year, funk band Mother’s Finest was invited to play, Byrd said.

Byrd said the concert was ultimately started to promote the area and provide a draw to the city’s downtown district. In past years, the WHDA has conducted surveys and learned the concerts have brought people to the area who have never before visited.

“Our main goal is to promote the area,” Byrd said. “That’s the reason we do the concerts. We’ll have some food (vendors) available down there, but we encourage people to come early and have an early dinner and just enjoy the town. I heard Emily (Minor) in Charlotte in January, and she puts on a fantastic show. She has a beautiful voice, and even if you’re not really into country, she is one of those people you’re just going to love no matter what kind of music you’re into. It’s just a great opportunity.”

Cost of admission is $10 per person.