Boone County Fair Talent Contests

By Anne Eickstadt

ANNE EICKSTADT PHOTO Belvidere Daily Republican
The talented Yates siblings earned the top prize in the Junior Talent Contest.

Editor

Chip Messiner of 95.3 The Bull, once again brought his emcee skills to the Fair for the Junior and Senior Talent Contests. He also brought his wife Tina, with her experienced scorekeeper skills to tabulate the Judges’ scores

The three Judges this year were:

Tania Nicholson is a Rockford area contemporary Christian singer/songwriter. She is the winner of three Rockford area Music Industry awards and is the 2013 Indie Music Channel’s Best Contemporary Christian Demo Award winner. She has two solo albums out and has had her music included in a number of compilation CDs

Shelley Nelson-Myers is a former Best of Rockford and RAMI award-winning vocalist. She is now performing with the local country band Love & Thunder.

David Painter is a performer with Moonlight Jazz and he has performed on cruise ships. He plays piano/keyboard, records in recording studios and is the Music Director at Faith Center in Rockford.

Contestants are judged on stage presence, talent, interpretation, and audience appeal.

The Boone County Fair follows the State Talent Show rules, although Messiner likes to allow a little leeway if needed to get the best performance from a contestant.

This is how the State rules read as pertaining to the Boone County Fair.

Talent Contest Rules for Illinois Association of Agricultural Fairs State Competition

(Professional entertainers are not eligible as defined in rule #1)

1. A professional entertainer is someone who has a lot of experience or skill in a particular job or activity. For this contest you may not participate if you have been paid fees for performing in your area of talent. Example: A dancer who has been paid may enter as a singer. The dancer may…

For complete article, pick up the Aug. 19 BDR.