Mid-South Fair announces 2021 contest information
The Mid-South Fair has announced details surrounding its annual Youth Talent Contest, Miss Mid-South Fair Scholarship Pageant and spokesKID Contest.
Two divisions make up the Youth Talent Contest – a junior division for those 9 to 12 years old and a senior division for those 13 to 21 years old. Junior division competition is slated for Sept. 24-26, and senior division competition is set for Sept. 26-Oct 3. All acts participating in the Sr. Division of the Grand Finals receive $50, with significantly larger cash prizes awarded to four acts in both age groups. The senior division Grand Award winner also earns the opportunity to audition in Hollywood or New York City, and is awarded a scholarship of more than $30,000 to Visible Music College.
The junior division is made up of the first 200 acts that submit an application. Those who wish to participate in the senior division can qualify by winning a sanctioned local preliminary competition, receiving an at-large invitation from a Mid-South Fair Youth Talent Contest representative or being a 2019 top 20 finalist. Applicants can also submit a video of the performance to the talent committee for consideration in the No-Go Video Preliminary Contest.
“It is amazing to think the next Elvis Presley, Justin Timberlake, Michael Buble or Lucy Hale could perform on our Youth Talent Contest stage in September,” said Todd Mastry, Landers Center’s executive director. “All four of those superstars competed at the Mid-South Fair. The talent this event brings in is extremely impressive, and we’re humbled by their abilities each year. It is our honor to provide a platform for these young men and women to showcase and grow their talents.”
In 2019, the Mid-South Fair hosted its first spokesKID Contest to find an enthusiastic youngster to serve as a spokesperson. The popular contest returns now through Aug. 31 this year. Those who know youth interested in holding the prestigious title can apply by submitting a Facebook video of the child sharing why he or she wants to be the spokesKID. Videos should be 60 seconds or less, entrants must be 12 years of age or younger and @MidSouthFair needs to be tagged in the post to ensure it is seen by officials. The winning spokesKID will receive 15 free Fair tickets, a $20 food voucher and will be one of the first entrants on opening day following the ribbon cutting. He or she will also serve as assistant emcee at the Youth Talent Contest, participate in TV interviews as opportunities arise and appear on the Mid-South Fair’s social media pages.
The competition continues with the 2021 Miss Mid-South Fair Volunteer Scholarship Pageant on Saturday, Sept. 25. The pageant is a sanctioned preliminary to Miss Tennessee Volunteer. A luncheon will kick off the festivities, followed by the interview portion, talent and evening gown competition in the Landers Center Theater. A Miss Mid-South Fair Volunteer Teen will also be crowned.
For more information about what to expect during the 2021 Mid-South Fair, please visit www.midsouthfair.com.
The Mid-South Fair is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community service organization headquartered in Southaven. The Mid-South Fair is dedicated to providing safe family-oriented entertainment for all on an annual basis. Since the first fair was held in 1856, the event has strived to educate those living in the Mid-South and to provide opportunities to grow and showcase their talents by granting scholarships, as well as hosting art contests, competitive youth talent competitions and more. For more information, please visit www.midsouthfair.com.
DeSoto County News Service
