Clowning around pays off at Franklin County Fair talent Contest

August 25, 2005|by DON AINES

WILLIAMSON, Pa. - About 20 young people took the midway stage Friday night to sing, dance and juggle during the annual Franklin County Fair Talent Contest.

Tim Brooks of Chambersburg, Pa., was in clown makeup and making balloon sculptures for children before the contest began. Once on stage, he switched to juggling balls, sticks and clubs to win top honors in the performance category for contestants 14 to 19 years old.

Fair Secretary Gerald W. Reichard said the winning performers each received $50 and a trophy for their efforts. No one walked away empty-handed as each performer got $10 for getting on stage. About 200 people sat in lawn chairs or on blankets to watch the show, which occasionally was interrupted by the the truck and tractor pull in the arena.

Guitarist and singer Kelly Neibert of Waynesboro, Pa., won first place in the musical category for 14- to 19-year-olds. In the 13 years old and younger category, the winners were Claire Martin and Madison Gober of Waynesboro, who donned curly red wigs and sang a medley from the musical, "Annie."

Maggie Mellott of Chambersburg tapped her way to first place in the 13 and younger performance category.

Tonight at the fair, the Holstein Dairy Show will be at 6:30 p.m. and the arena will feature the Youth Barnyard Olympics at 7:30. The featured entertainment on the midway stage is Tori Anderson & Possum Holler with shows at 7:30 and 9:10 p.m.

|

|

|