Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1497185
Seeing them win is pretty exciting." The winners of the junior and senior divisions go on to compete at the state fair. If there is a tie, the county youth talent director chooses who will go on to state. If the winner chooses not to go to state, the runner-up may compete in their place. While the youngest contestants don't move on to state, they still get valuable practice by competing on the county level, Fritch said. Because of her daughters experience, she knows that even very shy children can do well on stage and that kind of experience is important as they mature. Because of deadlines in place for the state fair, the talent contest will be held Sept. 16, a week-and-a-half early. The winners will have the chance to perform at the fair on the outdoor music stage, although the final dates have not yet been confirmed. The contest portion of the event is held inside to protect the sound equipment. Fritch recruits judges from outside Benton County. There are three judges, each with some kind of musical background. Contestants can compete in up to two categories. "There's something about the fair," Fritch said. "For a few years my kids didn't show anything, they just went and hung out at the fair. It's the ambiance of being there." 2023 Benton County Fair 25