Talent Show

Awards:

1st place: $100

2nd place: $75

3rd place: $50

4th place: $25

5th place: $15

If entries do not exceed 7 in either division only First, Second and Third place will be awarded in that division.

Rules

Contest Rules:

• If contest rules are not followed, act will disqualified and all awards will be forfeited.
• All acts must provide their own musical accompaniment, if needed. Record accompaniment may be on a CD or in digital form using an iPod or like technology. If music does not play act will be disqualified if a 2nd copy cannot be produced in a timely manner.
• Limit of 4 minutes per act. Set up for acts are limited to 2 minutes.
• Like talent on recording is discouraged. (i.e. vocal, taps, or like instruments)
• Practice time will be from 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. on the day of the contest. (First come first serve.)
• Stage is a wood floor 15 feet x 40 feet. A ladies dressing room is provided.
• Judging will focus on ability, costume, audience appeal and stage presentation. Judges results are final.

IAAF State Talent Contest Rules:

• First place winners in the Junior and Senior Divisions will advance to the Illinois Association of Agricultural Fairs State Talent Contest to be held in January following the show. In the event that the winner cannot perform or is ineligible to perform, the 2nd or 3rd place winner may be invited to appear.
• Illinois Agricultural Association’s State Talent Contest fee will be provided by the Morgan County Fair Association
• IAAF State Talent Contest rules can be found at www.illinoiscountyfairs.org/talent-contest
• If you have won a local fair talent contest and competed at the IAAF State Talent Contest you may not return again to State in the same division, type and grouping. The State competition has two groupings: solo and group. You may return as a group if you already competed as a soloist.

Local Contestant Rules

• If a Morgan County contestant has won another county at any time or competed at State representing another county, they are still eligable to compete at Morgan County in the same age division, type and grouping the following year. If the act competed at State they will not be eligable to compete again at State as the same grouping. (Example, soloist wins Scott Co. and compete at State. They can compete at Morgan the following year but cannot return to State.)    
• Morgan County residents who have won the Morgan County show can compete in the same age division as the same type but you must be in a different grouping. Local grouping rules will add a small group option. So a Morgan County winner, with at least 1 Morgan County resident, may return to compete as a soloist, small group (up to 4) or large group. This rule differs from the State so the act might not be able to compete at State if they win.
• If you have already won another county competition this year you may not compete.
• The Morgan County Junior and Senior Division winners cannot compete in the same age division, type and grouping the year after the win.
• Contestants are limited to two acts. Acts must be of different types or groupings. (i.e. solo, small group (up to 4) or large group) Contes-tants may be limited to one act each if acts of competition exceed the limit.
• Oldest contestant in the group decides the group’s age division.
• This is an amateur contest. Anyone who performs regularly for pay is NOT considered an amateur.
• No entry fee for the contest, but everyone attending will pay all gate and grandstand entry fees.
• Show will provide sound, lighting and hand held microphones only. Act must provide all other equipment and props.
• All entries must be received by the Friday before the show at 4pm to enter. If the show limit as not been met the Director might allow late entries. There is a limit of acts. If the limit as been met priority with be given to Morgan County entries.
• Liability statement: The Morgan County Fair Association, Talent Contest committee and its sponsors will not be held liable for any injury or damage to person or property that may occur during practice or competition. You practice and compete at your own risk.

For further information:
Kristan Becker Hoffman, Director
217-370-0853
email: morgancotalent@hotmail.com