Ruben.

Just one word sent thousands of women and men into a screaming frenzy for the "Velvet Teddy Bear" and former "American Idol" champion.

Amid the Cajun shrimp, jerk chicken, hot dogs and french fries, there had been a buzz all afternoon about when Ruben Studdard would lend his vocals to the 17th annual Henry Street Heritage Festival.

At 5:30 p.m., when a Studdard song was played on the sound system, people rushed to the stage, hoping they hadn't missed his appearance. They hadn't; he began right on schedule at 7.

Loretta Barksdale, 64, of Roanoke, waited four hours parked in the shade of a tree and armed with her blanket and lawn chair just to see his appearance.

"I love Ruben Studdard," Barksdale said. "I'm glad to see someone who has been out in the public come to Roanoke."

The day was held as a fundraiser for the Harrison Museum of African American Culture, said festival coordinator Rochelle Loritts.

As old men laughed and traded stories of years gone by, Loritts said the Elmwood Park festival, which was held originally on Henry Street, was meant to display and celebrate black culture as well as bring together blacks in the Roanoke Valley.

"This is a reunion," Loritts said. "People know that their friends and family are going to be here so they come to catch up."

But they also came to see Ruben.

The crowd was kept occupied with sounds of hip-hop and R&B and the young people danced, snapped their fingers and threw back their shoulders to the delight of their elders.

"I'm almost 60 years old, and I love to see so many young people involved," said Patricia Baker of Roanoke, who bounced her shoulders and laughed as hip-hop music played in the background. "I just wish there was a bigger place for them to dance."

The cool night was split by screams and excitement when Studdard was spotted.

People who had been sitting docile in their lawn chairs before Studdard's appearance grabbed their camera phones and pushed just so they could touch Studdard's hand and take his picture.

Although Studdard isn't her favorite singer, Christina Sapp yelled out "Ruben, right here baby," as he sang a single from his new album, "Return."

When Studdard sang his 2004 hit single, "Sorry 2004," Kesheia Smith sang along, bobbing her head, swaying to the music and putting her hand over her heart when he crooned, "this is my sorry for 2004."

"He is my favorite artist," she said. "If he needs me to go home with him, I'm right there."

Although he sang only three songs, Studdard's appearance did much to boost the already high attendance at the festival.

"It's always been a big crowd here, but I know a lot of people came just to hear him sing," said Dawayne Harris of Roanoke.

With Studdard's appearance and the crisp autumn day, Frances Williams, who comes to the festival every year, said the event accomplished its goal.

"This is a way to give blacks somewhere to get together and socialize," Williams said. "I hope we can expand it, so it's not just a black event, and this can be an event for the entire city."