The stars were out Thursday as youth of all ages took the stage for the Talent Contest at the Kandiyohi County Fair in Willmar.
Organizer Kathy Vruwink of Willmar said that although numbers were significantly down for this year's contest, the committee was pleased with the evening's overall outcome.
"Usually we have something go wrong at the last minute, but everything went well this year," she said. "The show was enjoyable; we had good variety and the crowd was great.
"It's great entertainment that provides locals of all ages an opportunity to share and showcase their talents. It's that whole funky fair spirit of sharing."
First-place winners in each of the three divisions earned cash prizes and the rights to compete at the State Fair Talent Show.
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Eleven acts graced the stage Thursday, beginning with three young dancers from Annandale: Shelby Nolan, 7; Rachel Lee, 11; and Cadie Risser, 12.
"The Starlights" lit up the stage with smiles as bright as their silver sequined costumes in a performance that eventually earned them a first-place ribbon in the pre-teen division.
Next up, Harrison Smith, 12, of Willmar performed a violin solo of "The Star Spangled Banner." Smith, performing at the fair for the third time, was awarded third place in the pre-teen category.
Wrapping up the pre-teen party, Erica Ellingson, 10, of Willmar jazzed up the crowd with a dance she choreographed to the song "Like Whoa."
Ellingson has been dancing since she was 3, and said it's her favorite thing to do.
"Everything about it is awesome, and it's great exercise," she said.
For the teen division, the band "76" performed a punk rock rendition of "Running from Big Dogs."
Bandmates David Anderson, Cary Dafoe and Dru Backhaus, all of Willmar, said their favorite thing to do in their spare time is make music. "76" took third-place honors.
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Jody Bombeck, 16, then performed a vocal solo of the song "Hero" by Mariah Carey.
But it was Brad Kallhoff's original composition entitled "Katie" that pleased the panel of judges. The Willmar teen won top honors for the song penned for his girlfriend, who will leave in the fall to attend college.
Dempsey Schroeder of Pennock finished second for "Fiddle Medley," which combined traditional fiddle tunes with classic rock pieces like The Beatles' "Eleanor Rigby."
The Open category for participants 19 and older and groups of mixed ages began with a bang when Doris Loe of Fulda performed a vocal solo of "Addicted to Love" that earned her a third-place prize.
Danielle Enberg took second for her jazz dance to the song "Ladies' Choice" from the hit movie and Broadway musical "Hairspray."
Willmar's Nick Larson finished first for a piano/vocal solo of an original country music composition. Larson previously wrote and performed the song "If I Could Give You a Song" for his wife on their wedding day.
The final performance was by "The Shining Lights," and featured a campy vocal ensemble entitled "How Much Wood Would a Woodcutter Cut?" The group was comprised of Kennedy Raap, Jarlee Schanus, Emily Mord, Grace Bolin, and Elizabeth and Molly Jeppesen, all of the Raymond area, and was led by Bridget Neumann.
Four judges from across Kandiyohi County selected winners based on stage presence, entertainment value, material selection and quality of performance. Performers were awarded 10 points in each categories.
