Mayor Trent McManus, his family, and Miss Tennessee Grace Arnold Gore pose in front of approximately 600 Halls residents for a publicity photo used by Twentieth Century Fox in the Horton Hears a Who Hometown Challenge. Results of the contest should be posted on the USA Today and Fox websites on Wednesday.

Over 600 residents of Halls gathered on the Halls High School football field on Saturday night to participate in the Horton Hears a Who Hometown Challenge.

A challenge that Halls Mayor Trent McManus said was only offered to eight communities across the United States. A challenge that may bring an "orange carpet" sneak-peak premiere to the small town this week.

Representatives of Twentieth Century Fox were on hand to record the decibel level of the crowd and to pass out Horton ears and premiere tickets to residents who participated in the contest. The Halls High School band arrived to bump up the decibel level and provide the beat for the crowd to chant, "We Are Here!" just like the Whos in the climactic ending of the book.

Halls Mayor Trent McManus explains the contest to the residents gathered on the football field in Halls shortly before the balloon records the decibel-count of the crowd.

Even Miss Tennessee, Grace Arnold Gore, donned a set of ears and participated in the fun.

If Halls is chosen as the loudest Who-Ville in the Hometown Challenge, they will earn a sneak peak of the movie before its release on Friday. Results will be posted on the US Today and Fox Web sites on Wednesday.

Wade Cherry, 8-year-old-son of Leanne and Doug Cherry of Halls, practices marching to his own beat shortly before the contest begins. [Click to enlarge]

Halls Westside Minister John Compere and his daughter, Rachel Compere, get ready to let Horton know they are there. [Click to enlarge]