Acts Amaze on Opening Day of Talent Search at Iowa State Fair

DES MOINES, IA (08/10/2017) (readMedia)-- Five talented Senior division acts (ages 13-21) have advanced to the semi-final round in Bill Riley's 58th annual Iowa State Fair Talent Search. Each act will perform again on Thursday, August 18, Friday, August 19 or Saturday, August 20.

The names, ages, hometowns and routines are:

Kiana Carlson, 18, Cedar Rapids, IA, Kylie Carlson, 16, Cedar Rapids, IA, Dance: Jazz Duet

Madelyn Janecek, 16, Washington, IA, Michaela Hoffman, Washington, IA, Dance: Clog Duet

Kaeli Verbrugge, 17, Eldridge, IA, Josie Lindle, 15, Eldridge, IA, Dance: Contemporary Jazz Dance Duet

Jillian Hess, 15, Johnston, IA, Vocal Solo

Niykayla Smith, 15, Montezuma, IA, Vocal Solo

Acts competed statewide to qualify for competition in this year's Talent Search. The championship round will take place on Sunday, August 20, at 1:30 p.m. on the Anne and Bill Riley Stage sponsored by Pepsi with media sponsor CW Iowa 23. Bill Riley, Jr. is once again hosting the show.

The first place winner will receive a prize of $8,000. The second and third place winners will be awarded $4,000 and $2,000, respectively. More than $17,000 will be awarded to the Senior and Sprout divisions combined. This year's contest is sponsored by Hy-Vee.

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Frequently ranked as one of the top events in the country, the Iowa State Fair is the single largest event in the state of Iowa and one of the oldest and largest agricultural and industrial expositions in the country. Annually attracting more than a million people from all over the world, the Iowa State Fair located at East 30th and East University, just 10 minutes from downtown Des Moines is Iowa's greatest celebration with a salute to the best in agriculture, industry, entertainment and achievement. "Nothing Compares" to State Fair Thrills, August 10-20, 2017. For more information, visit www.iowastatefair.org.