|
 On
the Lincoln Stage at noon was the annual talent contest that
featured three talented singers in two age brackets. On the south
end of the fairground in the Knights of Columbus pavilion was the
annual Double D Chili Cook-off and the My Favorite Pie auction.
These things were a prelude to the big event that would take place
later in the evening in the southeast corner of the fairground, the
annual country & western concert.
Starting with the talent contest, let’s just say AGT, The Voice,
American Idol, you got nothing on the Logan County Fair Talent
Contest! There was not an act on the stage that would have been
buzzed out by Simon Cowell, and a couple of them might very well
have received the golden ticket.
The day began with the youngest class which was youth under the age
of 15. In this class there were two competitors, Lillian Rademaker
and Raylon Schreiner.
Talent Show Coordinator Darlene Begolka introduced
Rademaker, saying that she is eight years old and attends West
Lincoln Broadwell School. She had a cat named Baby that she sings to
all the time.
Rademaker took the stage and started off strong with
a up beat song that she was clearly enjoying. As she looked out over
the audience and her mind took in the large crowd watching, that
same mind let go of the words to the song she obviously knew very
well. Rademaker showed the character of a true artist. She did not
quit or run off the stage. She patiently waited until the words came
back to her then continued her song with a nice strong finish.
The second and final entry in the younger class of
competitors was Raylon Schreiner. He is a third grade student at New
Holland Middletown. He was very involved in the Logan County Fair
this year showing 4-H sheep as well as 4-H hogs, which he enjoyed
very much.
Schreiner took on a Creedence Clearwater Revival classic, “Have you
Ever Seen the Rain,” and nailed it. CCR would have been proud as
were Schreiners parents and little sister Layla. Schreiners voice
was clear and crisp with not a sign of nerves as he moved across the
stage from side to side, making eye contact with folks in the
audience and delivering a flawless performance.
With the two younger entries finished, it was time for the age 15 to
22 category with one entry, Alexis Johnson. She is a graduate of Mt.
Pulaski High School and is attending LLCC in Springfield. Her future
goal is to become a veterinarian.
While she was the only entry, Johnson could have held her own
against any number of competitors.
Johnson chose the Holly Dunn Song “Daddy’s Hands. The
song hit number seven on Billboard when it was released by Dunn and
was also sung by Dolly Pardon. Both stars would have been quite
pleased with Johnson’s rendition of the hit song as she regulated
her voice, moving from soft and soothing to a full-blown belting out
of the chorus that brought chills to listeners.
Johnson moved across the stage, engaging with the audience and
really working the crowd without skipping a single note. When she
finished the applause and cheers from the audience let her know that
she had done well.
With all three acts completed, the judges, which were
Audra Turley of Audra’s Dance Studio, Austin Garriott, Lincoln Mayor
Tracy Welch left the building to deliberate. The task of the judges
was to score each competitor in three categories. Each entrant was
to be judged on costume, performance, and crowd response with a
possible high score of 50 points.
While the judges were busy, the Logan County Fair
Queen Abby Arnold and Little Miss Olivia Harsen took the stage to
offer a little intermission entertainment. The ladies introduced
themselves and Little Miss Olivia shared that Junior Miss Sophia
Goodman was unable to be there because she was busy at the north end
of the fairground showing cattle in the Saturday morning open show.
[to top of second column] |
The ladies asked if anyone wanted to come up on stage
and share a knock-knock joke. At first they had no takers, so they
decided to show off a new little happy dance the two have enjoyed
each day since being crowned. The dance included steps in and out
with their fancy cowboy boots, a couple of happy hands movements and
then the grand finale of Miss Abby lifting Miss Olivia and then
setting her down again.
The audience enjoyed the dance and applauded the two.
There was one youngster, Layla Schreiner who finally
decided she was willing to come on stage and share a knock-knock.
She was introduced by Little Miss Olivia and Schreiner began.
“Knock-knock.”
The crowd responded, “Who’s there.”
“Boo”
The crowd responded, “Boo Who?”
Schreiner responded, “Aw, don’t cry about it.”
The audience laughed and applauded the joke.
When the judges came back into the building, Miss
Abby was given one medal and Little Miss Olivia was given two. Then
the queens and the contestants took the stage for the final time.
Begolka announced the winners with Johnson winning the older age
class. In the younger group, the announcement was made that
Schreiner would place first with Rademaker making second.
Johnson and Schreiner will represent Logan County in January at a
state-wide competition in Springfield.
[Nila Smith]
 |
