JENSEN BEACH — Country singer Chuck Wicks made his case as a good boyfriend Saturday night after his girlfriend Julianne Hough came down with the flu and couldn’t perform at the 22nd annual Pineapple Festival in downtown Jensen Beach.

In a surprise last-minute move, Wicks played in Hough’s place — and said he scored some brownie points with his better half — to cap off a breezy Saturday filled with rides, traditional festival food and drink, daredevil BMX trick shows, parades and music.

“It was touch-and-go all day,” said Ron Rose, Jensen Beach Chamber of Commerce executive director. “A lot of people went out of their way to make it happen. I just thank God he (Wicks) was on his way to Homestead and turned around.”

Hough, a 21-year-old country singer, battled flu symptoms all day, and event organizers feared they might stare down an empty stage come 8 p.m.

Just after 6 p.m., Hough’s Twitter page read: “Hey everyone, whoever is going to the show tonight I want to apologize. I’m extremely sick and can’t make it. But you won’t be disappointed with who’s filling in.”

Wicks said, “I talked to her this morning and she sounded like she was on her death bed. She tried to hang in there as long as she could.”

Hough’s dance partner from two “Dancing with the Stars” championship appearances had no problem volunteering to take the mike for her.

Luckily, Wicks, 30, played a concert in Alabama on Friday night, and was on his way to Homestead. He and Hough planned to take a trip to the Keys following the festival, the last stop on Hough’s tour. So he jumped on Interstate 95 north to Jensen Beach to ensure the show would go on.

“I’m about the closest person you can get to Julianne,” Wicks said. “I probably know all of her jokes and can sing all of her songs.”

Organizers even printed out a “Get Well Soon” banner for Hough that fans signed.

“We love country music and Chuck is great,” said Katie Twombly, 20, of Stuart. “I’m a little disappointed, but he’s just as good.”

The two-day crowd of 25,000 people packed downtown Jensen Beach even more than in years past, Rose said.

“It’s a fun place and a great environment,” said Dan Gruen, 16, of Jensen Beach, a BMX fan. “The BMX stunts were risky and amusing.”

By Jonathan Mattise

Tags: bmx, chamber of commerce, chuck wicks, country, dancing with the stars, Jensen Beach, julianne hough, music, parades, Pineapple Festival, singer

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