Pageant Directors 

1. The purpose of the Drew County Fair Talent Contest is to discover, develop and encourage talent in the youth of Drew County.  It is designed primarily for amateur talent, but any act, which qualifies otherwise, is eligible even if the act may have received pay at some time, EXCEPT where the person(s) is engaged in the entertainment business or paid instructors in the Arts. Acts that may be considered professional should be brought to the attention of the Drew County Director, who will be responsible for notifying the ASF Talent Executive Director. If a contestant is under contract, they are ineligible to compete.

2. Talent Show will be Saturday, September 21, 2024 at 6pm

3. Age Requirements: New For 2023:

Junior Division- A contestant must be 14 years of age and not more than 17 years of age on the day of the local   

competition.

Senior Division-A contestant must be 18 years of age and not more than 23 years of age on the day of the local 

competition.

Adult Division-A contestant must be 24 years of age or older on the day of the local competition.

4. Must meet age requirement. Any contestant that might appear to be younger or older than the specified age limits 

should be prepared to furnish proof of age to the contest director.

5.  Contestants must be legal residents of the State of Arkansas and have a residence in the county/state six months before the competition or must be a full-time student who has attended school (academic, not dance, etc.) in Drew County for one full semester immediately preceding the Drew County Fair Youth Talent Contest.

6.  JR/SR/Adult contestants must not have ever been convicted of any crime or have any criminal charges pending.

7.  JR/SR/Adult contestants must not have ever been married, divorced or have children.

8. JR/SR contestants: In the event, a contestant’s parents are divorced, live in separate counties, and have been court-ordered to reside jointly with both parents, the contestant can only compete in one of the two counties in which the contestant’s parents reside or one of the open regional competitions.

9. In the event of an act such as a dance group that would have a member who, for example, is 13, it is okay for that person to compete with the group. You may age up, but not down.

10.  No contestant will be allowed to compete in more than one category unless the second category is with a group of five or more.

11.  No contestant will be allowed to compete in more than two categories.

12. Talent presentations must not exceed 3 minutes nor can any action exceed a 1-minute limit in setting up equipment, props, etc. This includes recorded introductions. All acts will be timed for both setup and performance.

13.  Musical accompaniment for any act must be on USB. Please read the section on instruments and musical accompaniment very carefully. Any act, which includes self-accompaniment, will be considered as a multiple talent act and must be entered in the Variety Category.

14. All contestants must rehearse or they will not be allowed to compete. Contestants are required to be on time for all rehearsals and contests.

15. All entry forms must be in the hands of the Drew County Fair Board by the due date on form. The Drew County Fair Board is not responsible for any entry forms lost in the mail. All entry forms must have a postmark.

16.  Any display of poor sportsmanship and/or unbecoming conduct, any interference and/or disturbance, or any other behavioral problem created by a contestant, parent, relative, or even a supporter of a contestant could result in disqualification of the contestant not only from this year’s contest but also from all future contests.

17. Any inappropriate lyrics of a song in the vocal division or inappropriate moves in the dance and variety categories will result in immediate disqualification.

Categories:

There are six categories in the Drew County Fair Youth Talent Contest. Competing acts must qualify by the following category description.

1. Vocal Solo shall consist only of a vocal performance by one vocalist. USBs used for the accompaniment must not include vocal background noises.

2. Vocal Group shall consist of two and no more than 10 vocalists. No other talent will be allowed to be performed.

3.  Instrumental Solo shall consist of an instrumental performance without vocal utterance by one performer. Recorded accompaniment may be used. No drums allowed!

4. Dance Solo shall consist of one dancer. No other talent will be allowed to be displayed in conjunction with the dance performance all types of dancing will be judged in this category-tap, jazz, ballet, folk, ethnic, and fad. Gymnastics, tumbling, acrobatics, or other forms of gymnastics are NOT INCLUDED in this category.

5.  Dance Group shall consist of two and no more than 12 dancers. No other talent will be allowed to be displayed in conjunction with the dance performance. The same type of dancing as listed under Dance Solo are allowed. Gymnastics, tumbling, acrobatics or any form of gymnastics is not included in this category.

6. Variety shall consist of a performance of one and no more than 10 persons. This category is also intended to provide a proper showcase for those acts in which multiple talents are displayed. Any act which fits the description of any of the other categories will not be allowed to compete in this category. The following acts qualify: vocal and live instrumental, juggling, ventriloquism, magic, gymnastics and tumbling are the only allowable acts. No act may include drum set, beatboxing, paint/watercolor, swords, open flames, or forms of liquid.

Exclusions:

1. Gymnastics, tumbling, acrobatics and any other forms of gymnastics are not allowed in any category of this contest. No baton acts.

2.  No act may include drum(s) or more than two electric instruments and one amplifier.

Length of Performance:

Acts must not be more than 3 minutes in length. This includes recorded introductions. All acts must not exceed a 1-minute limit in setting up equipment, props, etc. Setups and performance will be timed. No exceptions allowed. Exceeding the time limit of 3 minutes will result in a 5-point deduction.

No decorative or background props of any kind will be allowed. A prop must be used as a functional part of the contestant’s act. Questionable props must be discussed and approved by the fair manager.

Dressing Area:

A dressing area is provided behind the stage for those contestants who will perform in costume. Only one person per act will be allowed to help contestants in the dressing area. Only contestants will be allowed backstage once the contest begins. 

Instruments and Musical Accompaniment:

Adequate plug-ins for electric instruments are available. Professional sound equipment is provided, and its use is required, which means that no personal CD players/computers or microphones will be allowed. Contestants must provide their own instruments, amps, cords, etc.

Contestants must furnish their own USBs. All USBs must have only the music needed for the performance on them. It is recommended that you bring a second USB to have in case of emergency. All USBs must be of good quality. All USBs should be clearly marked as to contestant(s) name, music, title, and timed length. All USBs must be claimed immediately following the contest. USBs used for accompaniment must not include vocal background noises. No fading or stopping of the music will be allowed.

Rehearsal:

Each act will be allowed to rehearse only one time but each act must rehearse.

Judging:

The judges will be appointed by the Drew County Fair Board and their managers. They will be persons well qualified to judge a contest of this kind. Their decision will be final.

Scoring:

Talent 1-50; Showmanship 1-25; Appearance 1-15; Preparedness 1-10

In the event a county winner is unable to compete at the Arkansas State Fair, the county can send a runner-up to represent their fair. Entry fees must be submitted by the contestant(s) within 10 days of winning their local competition. A separate entry form must be submitted for each act. Limit: 2. the entry form is available online at www.arkansasstatefair.com. County winners may compete at the ASF Talent Competition free of charge. At large contestants (non-winners of fair competition) will pay an entry fee of $40 per category to compete.

TALENT SHOW ENTRY FORM

COMPLETE AND RETURN BY SEPTEMBER 6, 2024

MUST BE MAILED TO:

DREW COUNTY FAIR BOARD

PO BOX 1155

MONTICELLO, AR. 71657

Enclose $20 per single &; $35 for two or more

NAME: _____________________________________________________________

ADDRESS: __________________________________________________________

PHONE: ____________________________________________________________

SCHOOL: ___________________________________________________________

PARENTS: ___________________________________________________________

AGE: ___________________________ GRADE: _____________________________

Please attach a separate sheet for any additional contestants. Emcee will read from entry form. List additional information if you wish. MANDATORY REHEARSAL for the talent show will be held Sunday, September 17, 2023 at 5PM at the Homor Pace Auditorium, Drew County Fairgrounds.

CATEGORY

VOCAL SOLO___ VOCAL GROUP___ INSTRUMENTAL SOLO____

DANCE SOLO___ DANCE GROUP___ VARIETY___

TYPE OF TALENT OR ACT

(Tap, piano, juggling, etc.)________________________________________________

Name of Selection or Song: _______________________________________________

Name of Act if different from Song: _________________________________________

Name of Leader: ________________________________________________________

Equipment needed (hand mike, etc.):________________________________________

Parade Rules

 1. No Candy is to be thrown from floats or cars.

2. No one under 16 years of age on 3 wheelers or 4 wheelers . One person on each ATV.

3. Businesses will be judged as commercial entries.

4. No roller skates, in-line skates, skateboards,  or go carts.

5. All horses must have current Coggins. Papers will be checked on all horses. NO EXCEPTIONS.

6. Entries to be judged MUST follow the fair theme and have their lineup number on entry.

The parade is free and open to anyone who wishes to enter one of the following four categories:

1. Schools or youth groups

2. Civic and special interest clubs

3. Businesses

4. Individuals

Entrants are encouraged to incorporate the fair theme into their parade entry design. Awards will be

presented to winning entries who best represent this year’s theme.

This years theme: Stars, Stripes and Drew County Nights