Even though the Kane County Fair doesn't officially open until Wednesday, fairgoers can still enjoy some free pre-fair entertainment at the fair's annual talent competition Monday night.

The 26th talent contest will feature nine senior division and 12 junior division finalists, all from Kane County. The current roster was trimmed from 43 acts that tried out last month at St. Patrick Catholic School in St. Charles, according to Larry Rossi, talent contest chairman.

For performers like Abby DuBeau, 18, of Batavia, the talent show will be the first major talent competition in which she's competed. DuBeau tried out for the talent show a few years ago but didn't make it to the final round. This year she will get a chance to show her stuff, singing "Unchained Melody."

"I just really like to perform and sing so this is a good opportunity to do what I want to do. ... I really like the challenge of performing against other people," DuBeau said.

Those other people will include 16-year-old Carly Hoban, a singer and songwriter from St. Charles. Hoban has performed in the fair's talent show finals many times in the past, but this will be the first year she's ever competed singing one of her own songs.

"I love performing in the talent show. It's that thirst for performing, it's like a high. Some people get freaked out about going onstage but I love it," she said.

The talent showcase begins at 7 p.m. at the Kane County Fairgrounds' judging arena with the junior division. The senior division takes the stage at 9 p.m. Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three finishers in each division. The winners will receive $200 and a chance to compete at the state talent competition in Springfield.

Contestants will have to face a panel of three judges who rate their performance in categories such as technique and stage performance.

Last year's junior division winners, 11-year-olds Jessica Blakely of St. Charles and Josie Treffy of South Elgin, went on to capture first place at the state competition with a duet of the song "Sisters." It was the first time an act from Kane County had won the competition.