BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Thousands of hopeful singers lined up at Canalside on Sunday, all waiting for their opportunity to make their dreams to come true.

"I was not expecting it to be this big when I first pulled up, I saw like a tiny crowd and was like, ‘Oh that's not bad,’ until I started walking and got to the end of the line and was like, ‘OK we're going to be out here for a while,’" said Sara Scotti, who drove eight hours from Massachusetts.

American Idol, going on their 17th season overall — but second on ABC — stopped in Buffalo for open call auditions. Contestants from 15 to 28 years old could perform their song choices in front of American Idol producers. And if they get a ‘yes,’ it's off to the next round.

"Honestly, I want to make it to Hollywood, like that's my expectation. If I make it to that point, I'm good, I did something right," said Rodney Rodriguez from Buffalo.

But waiting in line brought out some nerves in others.

"I'm hoping that I just hit all the right notes and have it sound good and not crack because that would be kind of awkward, but I hope it goes well," said Caroline Gaglione from Syracuse.

Luckily, they all had each other for support.

"I think the crowd has been amazing honestly, everybody is so chill, we've all just been hanging out, getting to know each other, strangers coming from every area, people that live in your backyard and you have no idea," said Rodriguez.

And while the goal for these contestants is to make it to Hollywood, they're just happy they could give it their all in Buffalo.

"Just to say, ‘I tried,’ it would be really cool to move forward but I'm OK with just getting to try out and see where it goes," said Scotti.