Pella Dancer Wins 58th Annual Iowa State Fair Bill Riley Talent Search

DES MOINES, IA (08/20/2017) (readMedia)-- Ridge McGinley, 18, of Pella placed first in the senior division during the championship round of the 58th annual Bill Riley Talent Search Competition held Sunday August 20 at the 2017 Iowa State Fair.

McGinley walked away with an $8,000 prize for his lyrical dance performance.

Libby Peterson, 20, of Cherokee was awarded second place and $4,000 for her musical theater performance.

Third place and $2,000 went to Harrison Shecklar, 21, of Charles City with a piano 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:

Samuel Fine, 11, Windsor Heights, IA, Dance: Ballet

Mackenzie Crawford, 11, Sioux City, IA, Vocal

Trinity Brincks, 12, Fredericksburg, IA, Dance: Tap

Ty Stephany, 12, Altoona, IA, Piano

Keira Moore, 9, West Des Moines, IA, Vocal

Gretah K. Johnson, 12, Jefferson, IA, Dance: Tap

Kiera Klum, 11, Centerville, IA, Dance: Contemporary

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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.