SOUTHAVEN, MISSISSIPPI, August 15, 2018 – Now is your chance to enter the Mid-South Fair Youth Talent Contest, a contest that has served as a stepping stone for countless superstars including Elvis Presley, Justin Timberlake, Patsy Cline, Lucy Hale, and Wendy Moten just to name a few. Contestants who are interested in competing but were unable to attend a preliminary contest may submit a DVD bySeptember 18, 2018 in the No Go Youth Talent Show DVD Preliminary. More information is available at http://www.midsouthfair.com.

“The Mid-South Fair Youth Talent Contest is proud to continue its 65-year tradition of discovering up-and-coming youth talent and we are searching for exceptional young contestants who are looking to take their talents to the next level,” said Debbie Branan, Chair of the Youth Talent Contest. “So many young people these days are inspired to pursue the performing arts by watching talent shows on TV, so it’s wonderful we are able to offer this opportunity to apply by sending in a DVD by September 18!”

Interested No Go talent applicants should download and complete the contestant application found on http://www.midsouthfair.com at this link: http://bit.ly/nogoyouthtalentapp. Applicants must apply by September 18, 2018 with full payment. The entry fees for DVD entries are $15 for solos and $25 for groups. Complete applications can be sent to Mid-South Fair Youth Talent Committee, 2584 Highway 51 South, Hernando, Mississippi, 38632.

The Junior Youth Talent Contest division application can be found on http://www.midsouthfair.com at this link: http://bit.ly/jryouthtalentapp. Full payment is due September 17, 2018. The entry fees range from $40 for a solo entry to $75 for a group entry. A non-refundable check or money order must accompany the entry form. This contest is limited to the 1^st 200 paid acts even if that is prior to the deadline. Acts will be scheduled for one of the preliminaries on either Friday, September 21, 2018 or Saturday, September 22, 2018. Jr. Grand Finals will be held on Sunday, September 23, 2018 at 2:00 pm at the Landers Center DeSoto Family Theatre in Southaven, Mississippi.

2018 Prizes:

YOUTH TALENT (SR. DIVISION 13-21 YEAR OLDS):

Each act competing in the Grand Finals will receive $50.00 and a Finalist’s trophy.

The winners of the Grand Finals receive a trophy cup and the following cash awards:

• Grand Award Winner- $2,000 plus invitation to a private audition with CBS Studios in Hollywood, California or New York and will also be special entertainment at the 2019 Mid-South Fair Youth Talent Contest Sr. Grand Finals.
• First Sweepstakes Winner- $1,000
• Second Sweepstakes Winner- $500
• Third Sweepstakes Winner- $250

YOUTH TALENT JR. DIVISION (9-12 YEAR OLDS):

• Grand Award Winner- $500 plus they will also be special entertainment at the 2018 Mid-South Fair Youth Talent Contest Sr. Grand Finals AND invited to perform at the 2019 Mid-South Fair Youth Talent Contest JR. FINALS.
• First Sweepstakes Winner- $300
• Second Sweepstakes Winner- $150
• Third Sweepstakes Winner- $75

Recognized as the largest amateur performing-arts youth talent competition of its kind in the nation, the Youth Talent Contest has been one of the most popular events at the Mid-South Fair for much of the fair’s 162 years in business. The Youth Talent Contest has served as a stepping-stone for many noteworthy performers over the years, including megastars such as Elvis Presley, Justin Timberlake, and Michael Buble.

The Youth Talent Contest will return for its 65^th year during this year’s Mid-South Fair, which takes place Friday, September 21, through Sunday, Sunday September 30 at Landers Center in Southaven, Mississippi. Youth Talent Contest hours are 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Friday, September 21; 10 a.m., 2 p.m., and 6 p.m. Saturday, September 22; 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday, September 23; 6 p.m. Monday, September 24, to Friday, September 28; 10 a.m. Saturday, September 29 and 2 p.m. Sunday, September 30.

The performers who will be featured during the week of the Mid-South Fair emerged from among thousands of contestants from eight states in more than 150 preliminary competitions sponsored by clubs, schools, county fairs and civic groups. Categories for performance include dance solo, dance group, variety acts (solo and group), instrumental solo, instrumental group/band, vocal solo (male and female) and vocal group.

About the Mid-South Fair: 
The Mid-South Fair is a 501(c)(3) non-profit community service organization dedicated to educating and connecting the region to its agricultural heritage by promoting local industry, providing safe family-oriented entertainment, and rewarding agricultural and craft achievement through an annual exposition. For more information, please visit www.midsouthfair.com.

About Landers Center:

Located in Southaven, Mississippi, Landers Center is a 10,000-seat multipurpose arena and entertainment provider that hosts numerous national touring acts, family shows and sporting events. Built in 2000 and home to the Memphis Hustle, the Memphis Grizzlies’ G-League team of the NBA Developmental League, Landers Center hosts over 600 events annually and offers a 10,000-seat multipurpose arena; a 17,000-square-foot convention center; 400-seat theater, and a large parking lot that boasts nearly 3,000 parking spaces that hosts outdoor events including the Mid-South Fair. For more information, please visitwww.landerscenter.com.

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