Ames Pianist Wins 59th Annual Iowa State Fair Bill Riley Talent Search

DES MOINES, IA (08/21/2018) (readMedia)-- Anna Yam,15, of Ames placed first in the senior division during the championship round of the 59th annual Bill Riley Talent Search Competition held Sunday August 19 at the 2018 Iowa State Fair.

Yam walked away with an $8,000 prize for her piano solo performance.

Tory Gregurich (21) and Laura McCargar (21) of Des Moines were awarded second place and $4,000 for their vocal/piano duet performance.

Third place and $2,000 went to Lil Gast,18, of Cedar Falls with a vocal solo.

Acts competed statewide to qualify for competition in this year's Bill Riley Talent Search at the Iowa State Fair. The championship round took place on the Anne and Bill Riley Stage sponsored by Pepsi with media sponsor CW Iowa 23. Bill Riley, Jr. hosted the show.

More than $17,000 was awarded to the senior and sprout divisions combined. This year's contest was sponsored by Hy-Vee.

Sprout winners included:

Linsey Sonderman (11), Brylee Schechinger (11), Earling/Westphalia, Tap Duet

Brooke Pliler, 13, Polk City, Dance

Josie Hutcheson (10) and Ellie Weiss (10), Burlington, Acrobatic Dance

Lucy Gannon, 11, West Des Moines, Piano Solo

Sophie Beenken, 12, Mt Pleasant, Lyrical Dance

Hannah Lukehart, 11, Fort Dodge, Vocal Solo

Sophie Shadwick (12) and Bella Uhlenberg (10), Ankeny, Dance Duet: Lyrical

Grace Haugland, 10, Clear Lake, Speed Painting

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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 Moments, August 9-19, 2018. For more information, visit www.iowastatefair.org.