Kane Co. Fair announces talent contest winners
Jamie Ann Dowat of St. Charles, Junior Division, and Ashley Heska of Batavia, Senior Division, have been named the first place winners of the 28th annual Kane County Fair Talent Contest. The talent contest was held on Monday, July 18, as a “Pre-Fair Showcase” at the Kane County Fairgrounds in St. Charles.
Dowat performed a vocal solo of Mambo Italiano and Heska performed a violin solo of Czardas. Both Dowat and Heska received a $200 first-place prize.
The first-place acts of both the Junior and Senior Divisions will automatically represent Kane County in January, 2012 at the Illinois Association of Agricultural Fairs Official Talent Contest State Competition in Springfield.
Second- and third-place winners of the Kane County Fair Talent Contest were:
Junior Division - Second Place – Sydney Poss of North Aurora performed a vocal solo of "I Got the Sun in the Morning," and Third Place – Alex Vonderhaar of St Charles performed a piano solo of "Dizzy Fingers."
Senior Division – Second Place – Eric Luminais of Geneva performed a flute solo of "Bouree Remix of Flute" and Third Place -- Emily Schmid of Geneva performed an original dance to "Rolling in the Deep."
Contestants were judged by technique, stage presentation, audience appeal, and appearance. Cash prizes awarded in each division: first place $200; second place $125; and third place $75. All other finalists received $20 per act.
Judges for this year's Kane County Fair Talent Contest were Christina Kenkel, teacher at St. Charles North High School, who performed with Up with People; Pat Miller, professional keyboardist/vocalist who has 25 years experience in Church Music Ministry; and Monica Patzer, BFA in dance performance, who also competed in the Kane County Fair Talent Contest for 10 years.
“The Kane County Fair Talent Contest is open to a wide variety of talent and entertainment,” said Larry Rossi, RPM Creative Music, coordinator of the Talent Contest. “This year we had our largest number of 50 audition participants
and the 19 finalists who competed for prizes. The judges were highly impressed with the quality of talent in our community. We really look forward to next year's contest based on the excitement we experienced this year.”
The contest is open to any person or group (school/organization) residing in Kane County. For more information and how to enter future contests, call (847) 622-9935 or email KaneCoTalent@aol.com.