Dakota County Fair 2010 Amateur Talent

Contest

Rules and Information

Entry: Contestants must submit a completed entry form by July 15, 2010 along with a $5.00 entry fee. Applicants must enclose a DVD.  Acts not accepted into the semifinals will have their entry fee and DVD returned.

Eligibility: The contest is open to all amateur entertainers who are Dakota County residents. Students K-12 who attend public school in Dakota County but live in a bordering county are eligible to participate. Groups must have a majority of participants who are Dakota County residents. Professional musicians whose talent is a principal source of income are not permitted to enter. No individual may perform in more than one individual act in any year.

Past Winners: Contestants who have participated in talent contests at a county fair in the past may compete again.  If a contestant previously won the Minnesota State Fair County Fair Talent Contest, they may not compete again in that division.  With the exception of first place winners in the Open Division, acts that have participated in the past are welcome to compete again.  Former Teen Division first place winners are required to compete in the Open Division.  Past Preteen first place winners must also compete in the Open Division if they are not of age to compete in the Teen Division.

Contest Rules:

Divisions: All acts compete in one of three different divisions, based on the age of the contestant as of August 9, 2010. The Preteen division is open to contestants age 12 and under only. The Teen division is open to contestants ages 13 through 18 only. The Open division is open to any contestant, regardless of age. Contestants 19 years and older must compete in the Open Division. If any individual in a group does not qualify for a division because of age, the group must perform in the division that the oldest person qualifies for. Accompanist, when not a part of the act, may be of any age.

Accompaniment: The fair will provide a CD player. Vocalists may use recorded accompaniment, provided it contains instrumental accompaniment only. Absolutely no back-up vocals are allowed on vocal performance accompaniment (act will be disqualified the night of the contest if there are back-up vocals on their recorded accompaniment.) The contestant is responsible for the quality and reliability of any CD used; a bad CD will detract from your performance.  The fair does not provide a piano; contestants may use their own keyboard.The judges will disqualify the contestant in the final round if there are background vocals on music (if you are singing) and/or the performance is longer than 4 minutes.

Time Limit: The time limit is four minutes. Time limits will be strictly enforced. A medley of songs is allowed within the four minutes.

Judging: Judges will assess talent based on stage presence, quality of performance, choice of selection and entertainment value. Judges' decisions are final. Scores are not released to the contestants or the public.

Check-in Meeting:  All acts are required to check-in at the Free Entertainment Stage with the Talent Show Superintendent at 5:45pm on the night they are scheduled to perform.  Contestants who are using a CD will need to bring it with them at this time.  Contest will start promptly at 6:00pm.

Schedule: Semifinalists will be selected from all acts at the discretion of the Talent Show committee. Acts will be notified by July 31, 2010 if they have made it into the semifinals on the first two days of the fair, Monday, August 9, 2010 and Tuesday, August 10, 2010. The top two acts in each division for both semifinal nights will be invited back for the finals on Saturday, August 14, 2010 at 6:00pm. The winning act in each division will be eligible to represent Dakota County in the Minnesota State Fair - County Fair Talent Contest.

Prizes and trophies:

Sound System: All contestants are required to use the sound system provided. A sound technician is on duty at all times. The contestant must provide all instruments and amplifiers if needed.

Stage: Contestants will perform on an elevated stage.  Contest will be held at the Free Entertainment Stage at the Dakota County Fair.

Admission/Parking: All contestants are responsible for their own admissions. The cost of admission is $5 for ages 13-59; $2 for ages 6-12 & Seniors 60+; Ages 5 and under are free.  Parking is $5.00 per day or $15.00 for a weeklong pass.

Questions?  Please visit www.dakotacountyfair.org or call the Fair Office at (651) 463-6900.