Small Town, Big Talent Ready to Hit the Stage at
Wheatley Idol – Celebrating 10 years!!
A
little town with big talent! Who would have known that there was such amazing
talent in such a little town? Youth from all around Southwestern ON will hit the
stage at the “10th Annual 2013 Wheatley Idol,” which is taking place Sunday, August 4 at the Two Creeks
Conservation Area in Wheatley. Wheatley Idol is a part of the annual Wheatley
Fish Festival, which takes place the Civic Holiday Weekend Aug 2, 3, & 4.
Organizer
of the event Darla Janzen told Biz X Magazine (a proud sponosor of the event) the talent
competition, which was started by the Wheatley Optimists, has grown since it
began, and this feature attraction continues to grow.
“It
remains to be a really popular event supporting Canadian talent in SW Ontario, ”
she says. “Our goal and our passion have been to provide a showcase venue
for talented youth in Canada's most southern mainland. We set another record
year when we opened up the online pre-registration on May 15, and filled up
fast, within just 24 hours!”
Season
10 registered contestants are from the Wheatley area and reach as far out as
Windsor and Meaford. Janzen credits their enthusiastic Wheatley Idol members,
their website, along with the media and other mediums for helping get the word
out.
Janzen
indicated a large crowd is anticipated again this year for the event. Preparations
for the competition are going smooth, and contestants are now posted! Contestants
come from all around to compete for the star-studded recording package and
vying for the coveted Wheatley Idol title “Overall Winner – Top Star”. The competition also draws hundreds of
spectators, who offer support and encouragement for the great talent that takes
to the outdoor stage. New to last year’s winners was the “Overall Runner-up
Winner”. The singing competition is broken down into four age categories (6-9,
10-12, 13-16, and 17-29). “Celebrity judges” determine the 14 winners – 3
winners from each category, and in addition, an Overall Winner – Top Star, and
Runner-up Winner – Rising Star are also chosen. Though it’s a singing
competition, there are singer/songwriter talents that add to the mix, making it
a diverse group of contestants.
“This
year’s celebrity judges include local recording artist, singer/songwriter Nicole Barron, Country 95.9 & 92.7
FM morning host Cordell Green, and Amber Dubois, the 2012 Wheatley Idol
Overall Winner, ” explains Janzen.
There
are great prizes for all the winners! Darla is excited to announce the four 1st
place winners from this year’s contest will also be invited to be guest singers
at the 2013 Comber Fair - Miss Comber Fair Pageant.
“We’ve tried to put a bit of everything into it,
so it’s appealing to everybody,” she says.
Admission
to the event is absolutely FREE, and open to the public as a free concert. Rain
or shine! The Two Creeks outdoor amphitheatre makes for a wonderful woodland
setting, and in the event of rain, the pavilion is available. Door prizes for
the audience can be won and are drawn during the judge’s deliberations.
Food
from the Wheatley Scouts will be for sale, and Country 95.9 & 92.7 FM, and
MIX 96.7 FM Radio out of Leamington will be on hand during the event to give out
free swag. Bring your lawn chairs and Idol cheers! Celebrity Emcees Dustyn Janzen and Corey Robertson, local celebrity personalities, will keep everyone
entertained and well informed throughout the event.
Janzen
says it is mind-blowing the talent out there, and some yet to be discovered. It
has been wonderful to see the young talent grow over the years, and watch the
up & coming artists to break out.
We
encourage the public to come out to the event and enjoy the entertainment, and
see who will be “Season 10 – 2013 Wheatley Idol Winners” on Aug 4th. Check out their Facebook fan page and website
for more details, Idol highlights, and news!
“Stay Tuned, Stay Connected!” with Wheatley Idol on Facebook, Twitter,
YouTube, and Idol Alerts! http://wheatleyidol.yolasite.com/
by Deborah Jones Publisher Biz X Magazine