Two Weeks Remain for Amateur Talent Contest Registrations

ST. PAUL, MINN. (07/07/2010)(readMedia)-- Only two weeks remain until registration closes for State Fair Amateur Talent Contest Auditions. Performers from across the Midwest will have an opportunity to perform and compete in the 38th annual competition.

More than $7,300 in prize money will be awarded to the first- through third-place winners in three divisions. Entries are accepted for all age groups and categories are: Open Division, for any age; Teen Division, ages 13-18; and Preteen Division, ages 12 and under.

Auditions for the amateur talent contest run Monday, July 19 through Sunday, July 25 at the Leinie Lodge Bandshell on the fairgrounds. Auditions begin at 5:30 p.m. on weekdays and 11 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. From auditions, semi-finalists will be selected to perform during this year's Minnesota State Fair.

During the first 10 days of the fair, semifinals will be held nightly at the Leinie Lodge Bandshell. Winners from the semifinals will compete in the finals at 8 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 5 at the Grandstand. Last year, Sedra Bistodeau of Princeton took the grand prize for her violin solo "Hungarian Rhapsody #2." She will perform during finals this year.

Participants are encouraged to register on-line at www.mnstatefair.org. Entry forms may also be downloaded and returned through the mail. For more information, please call the talent contest information line at (651) 288-4395 or e-mail msfent@mnstatefair.org.

The 2010 Minnesota State Fair runs Thursday, Aug. 26 through Labor Day, Sept. 6.