The 2008 Koochiching County United Way Campaign will kickoff with a vocal talent contest May 9.
The event is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. at Backus Auditorium. The competition will feature entertainment from Minnesota and Canada, along with guest star appearance from Brittany Lee Aultman, Nashville recording artist.
United Way has impacted the area by distributing over $700,000 since 2001, according to officials. The event is a fundraiser intended to help local charitable agencies.
Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for children in advance and $2 more at the door. They are on sale at City Drug, Thrifty White Drug and Betty’s in Fort Frances.
“We look forward to another extraordinary Hooked on Talent event," said Lori Lyman, United Way – Koochiching County Advisory Board member. "It is amazing the talent that is right here in our own backyard. We encourage everyone to come and enjoy this great evening of entertainment and at the same time, support the 20 plus charitable agencies supported by United Way in Koochiching County."
Judges for the competition are Aultman, B93 radio morning show host Jenny Congdon, and local musician Terry Ehrman.
Aultman will also sing at the end of the program while scores are being tallied. She has opened for such notable country stars as Tim McGraw, Travis Tritt, George Strait, and Rockie Lynne. This year, she has been asked back to sing at We Fest, where she will be a main stage performer, in addition to appearing on the Emerging Artists Stage at the Winstock Country Fest and at Moondance Jam.
The talent competition has 20 acts thus far, including International Falls performers: 4ever Faithful (Kate Anderson, Paige Boyum, Jynni Discenza & Olivia King); Seth Berguson; Forth Angel; Mark Gierszewski and Dean Piekarski; The Master's Men (Mike Carney, Jim Hummel, Kevin Skifstad, and Ken Shoberg); Doug Piekarski; Jon Streiff; and Shelby Thorstad.
Littlefork performers include: Nicole Rom; Rosa Rom; and Rylan Street.
Fort Frances performers include: Brittany Hayes; Dawn Hayes; Ken Kellar; Dave Black and Patrick Tougas; and Karri Tougas.
Other area performers include Eclectric Harmony from Baudette; Courtney McKee from Togo; Christen Norkunas from Aurora; and Jenn Schnortz from Hibbing.
The performers will be competing for the $600 first prize; $350 second and $250 for third. There will also be a $200 most original prize, and a $400 audience response prize where enthusiasm will be measured by a noise meter.
United Way raffle tickets are also on sale for two roundtrip tickets from Duluth to Las Vegas and a Giant’s Ridge Golf package. Winners will be drawn at the Hooked on Talent event. Raffle tickets are $5 and available at Forestland, Chocolate Moose, Coffee Landing Metro, and Espresso Lane. Tickets are also available the night of Hooked on Talent.