FALCON HEIGHTS, Minn. — Are you an undiscovered (or a bit under the radar) talent looking for a moment in the spotlight?
Now is your chance to rectify that situation, by securing an audition for the annual Minnesota State Fair Amateur Talent Contest. Registration is now open to grab a slot for the auditions, which run from Monday, July 22 through Sunday, July 28 at the Leinie Lodge Bandshell on the state fairgrounds.
From those auditions, 30 acts from the preteen division (12 and under), 42 teen acts (ages 13-18) and 48 open division acts will advance to the semifinals. Those performers will take the stage during the first 10 days of the Minnesota State Fair. Semifinal winners will then compete in the finals Sept. 1 on the Grandstand stage. At stake is a share of the $20,000 prize pool.
The deadline to register for an audition is 4 p.m. Wednesday, July 24. Everyone who auditions will get a collectible Minnesota State Fair Amateur Talent Contest T-shirt.
Over the past 50 years, State Fair organizers say more than 17,000 acts have auditioned for the MSF Amateur Talent Contest, with more than $250,000 in prize money being awarded. Past winners of the contest include Nashville-based country music singer-songwriter Caitlyn Smith, local theater actor Max Wojtanowicz, beatbox artist DJ Snuggles, piano prodigies Emma and Jacob Taggart, and Twin Cities' first family of soul, The Steeles.
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