This story is sponsored by Timothy Mathany Professional Corporation:
The Dresden Arena floor will be graced with an array of entertainment on Saturday afternoon as the Rise to Fame Youth Talent search is held at the 141st running of the Dresden Exhibition.
“This is sanctioned by the Western Fair district and it is not just singing. We have pianos, dancers, contortionists, any talent,” said Christal Wills, local organizer.
Anyone interested in performing can go online to the Western Fair District website to register, and they have until Wednesday (July 20) to do so for the Dresden preliminary show, which begins 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 23.
“We have to have the equipment available for them when they come,” Christal said.
“This year I have people playing piano so I have to supply a piano, sound system, mics and CD players if they are playing with background music. A lot of the others will bring their own equipment like guitars and things like that. It is just about having the right equipment available so we have to have a cut off.”
How Rise 2 Fame works:
This year will mark the 35th year of the Rise 2 Fame Youth Talent Search, an annual event presented by the Western Fair District in conjunction with local fairs, festivals and events.
The Rise 2 Fame Youth talent competition provides non-professional youth, ages 6 -21, a chance to perform their art on a local stage.
There are 18 Preliminaries held during the summer in communities from Essex to Hamilton with many stops in-between.
The winners of those regional competitions move forward to the finals in September at the annual Western Fair for a chance to win up $ 1,500.
At each level the crowd grows and the stage becomes a professional showcase, slowly building the skill and confidence of the contestants, while having fun performing.
Over the years we have been entertained by some of the best youth acts in Southwestern Ontario. Past winners include, Marla Silvestro, Jamie Warren, Beverley Mahood and Cassandra Hodgins, to name just a few.
Not only have contestants sung their way into our hearts, we have been inspired by the best dancers, bands and instrumentals. Last year our Junior and Youth winners danced their way to first place.
Social media is playing a big part with the youth of today and we in the Western Fair District are excited to be a part of that. The video preliminary is back by popular demand for a third straight year. Entries can be sent in by July 12th. Videos can be submitted from May 1st to Aug. 15th.
2016 Prizes
Youth: Rise 2 Fame
Winner: $ 1,500.00 Cash prize plus a trophy.
Runner-up: $ 750.00 plus a trophy.
$ 150.00 Cash will be given to each of the remaining 10 Finalists.
Junior: Rise 2 Fame Talent Search:
First Place Winner: $250.00 Cash plus a trophy
2nd Place Winner: $200.00 Cash plus a trophy.
3rd Place Winner: $150.00 Cash plus a trophy
People’s Choice (Online Video Submission)
First round winner (highest votes between May 1st to August 15th, @ 12pm)
Fair prize pack – Fair admission & Ride all Day passes
(For solo acts, winner would receive 4 admissions & Ride all day passes.)
(For group acts, each winner will at least 1 admission & 1 ride all day pass per member)
