FAYETTE: Watermelon Idol Contest

Calling all singers, do you think you have what it takes to be the Watermelon Idol? Anyone 18 years old or older is able to try-out at a qualifying location this summer. Two people will advance to the finals at each qualifying location.

The Top Ten karaoke singers will compete at Watermelon Idol on Main Street in Fayette, Iowa, during Watermelon Days on Friday, August 12th at 7PM. The karaoke singer who is crowned Watermelon Idol will receive $450 cash, two hours of recording time at Catamount Recording Studio in Cedar Falls where they will be able to take home a CD of their recording time, and they will get to sing the National Anthem at a Waterloo Black Hawk's Hockey Game this season.

Second place will receive $150, 3rd place - $125, 4th place - $100 and 5th place - $75. Audience members who attend the finale on August 12th will vote for their favorite singer and the winner of “People's Choice” will receive $100.

“The goal of this karaoke contest is to make it entertaining for the singers and for the audience members” said Kris McGrane, coordinator of the event. “We will have some celebrity judges from local TV and radio stations along with other musically talented people to judge all the events.” The judges will give brief feedback to each contestant after they try-out, similar to American Idol that airs on FOX-TV.

Cost is $10 per person to try-out. If a person doesn't make it into the finals at one qualifying location, they are able to try-out at another one in front of different judges. Contestants are able to bring their own CD-G's or choose from one of the many songs available at each qualifying location.

Any singers interested can qualify between 7PM and 9PM (first come, first sing) at these qualifying locations: Skip-A-Way Campground/Quarry Lodge in Clermont on Saturday, June 18th; Victories Restaurant and Sports Lounge in Fayette on Friday, July 8th; Lilac Lanes bowling alley in West Union on Saturday, July 9th; Hacker's Golf Simulator and Lounge in Hazleton on Friday, July 15th and Dave's Place (Von Tuck's) in Oelwein on Friday, July 29th. Free open karaoke for everyone following each contest until 1AM.

Watermelon Idol is sponsored by Boike's Trailside Inn, McGrane's Music Machine and McGrane's Memories. For more information visit www.fayetteiowa.com.