By Jolene FarleyLocal talent will again vie for prizes and a chance to advance to the Minnesota State Fair in the annual Rock County Talent Show next month. The local talent show is planned for 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 1, in the grandstand during the Rock County Fair. "It’s local people from our area, a lot of parents and grandparents watching their kids," Talent Contest Committee member Ida Reverts said. "Just good local talent that I think everybody enjoys."Last year the event, sponsored by the Rock County Agricultural Society, drew 25 entries in three categories with a grandstand crowd of more than 500 people watching the contestants. Last year’s entries included instrumental, vocal and dance acts, according to Reverts."We’re hoping to get a few more this year," she said. There are three categories of competition: the open division is for any age contestants, the teen division is for young adults 13 through 18 years old, the pre-teen division is for children ages 12 and younger. First place prize in all categories is $100, second place prize is $75 and the third place prize is $50. First place winners will be invited to participate in the Minnesota State Fair contest, scheduled for various dates from Thursday, Aug. 21, to Sunday, Aug. 31.Talent contest committee members Ida Reverts, Bob Zinnel, Lyle Nelson and Jane Wildung are each asked to find one judge for the contest, according to Reverts. The stage, sound system, piano and lighting system are provided by the Fair Board during the two-hour event. Acts cannot be longer than four minutes and practice times will be arranged on the day of the event.Entry forms may be picked up at the Luverne Chamber of Commerce and at the Luverne Style Shop. To receive a registration form by mail, call Wildung at 283-4691 or 283-4053, or mail a request to 202 East Main St., Luverne, MN, 56156. Questions can also be directed to Ida Reverts during the day at 449-4900. Registrations and a $10 registration fee must be postmarked no later than Thursday, July 24, or hand-delivered by Friday, July 25, to Wildung at the Luverne Style Shop.
