Auditions planned for talent contest
The Kane County Fair Talent Contest celebrates its 28th season this year at the Kane County Fair lineup of attractions.
Over the years the contest has seen and heard singers, dancers, magicians, comedians, instrumentalists, acrobats and even a juggler or two. The contest boasts wholesome family entertainment, a very rare commodity these days and worthy of parents bringing their young aspiring stars to participate in or just to watch.
The competition is open to all individuals and groups residing in Kane County. The Junior Division is open to all ages up to 14 and the Senior Division includes ages 15 to 21. All areas of entertainment are welcome.
Auditions will be Saturday, June 18, at St. Patrick Catholic School in St. Charles. Finals will be held on Monday, July 18, at the fairgrounds, located on Randall Road at Oak Street in St. Charles, prior to the Kane County Fair, which will be Wednesday, July 20, to Sunday, July 24.
Entrants must complete an entry form to be part of the audition process. Entry forms can be downloaded at www.kanecountyfair.com or by request at (847) 622-9935 or email to KaneCoTalent@aol.com.
Bob Hoge, Kane County Fair board treasurer and contest adviser, and avid supporter of the arts and kids, felt that Kane County had some of the most talented young people around and should have the opportunity to showcase that talent.
Hoge noticed that other county fairs had been hosting talent competitions for many years. Bringing this to the attention of the fair board constituents back in 1983, he persuaded the board to institute the contest right here in Kane County.
For most of the past 27 years, Kane County has “placed” in the state competition held in Springfield every January. Our Kane County talent has made it to first place 2 years in a row in both 2008 and 2009 and second through 10th places a number of times in both the represented junior and senior divisions.
Several competitors have gone pretty far with their own careers including the opera, Broadway, major resort entertainment and even motion pictures. When speaking to these and several other former contestants many of them credit the Kane County Talent Contest with helping them along their various career paths.
“Many contestants come back year after year,” says coordinator Larry Rossi of RPM Creative Music who has also been working with the competition since its inception.
For more information, contact Larry Rossi at (847) 622-9935.