Calling all young talent

The Bill Riley Talent Search will be held on Saturday, Aug. 9, as part of the Albert City Threshermen & Collectors Show, which runs Aug. 8-10. 

Contestants in both “Sprouts” and “Seniors” divisions may vie for cash prizes and the chance to advance to the Bill Riley Iowa State Fair competition. 

“A long time ago they [Threshermen] had it,” said Ron Hott, coordinator of the local Bill Riley Talent Search, “but they came into a conflict.”

Indeed the Threshermen & Collectors Show is scheduled at the same time as the Iowa State Fair. So instead of qualifying for this year’s fair, arrangements have been made for winners at the Albert City event to qualify for the 2026 Iowa State Fair.

First place winners in both Sprouts (ages two through 12) and Seniors (ages 13 through 21) qualify for the Iowa State Fair.

In addition, first, second and third place winners in both age divisions in Albert City win $10, $20 and $30 respectively, courtesy of event sponsor Community State Bank, Albert City.

“This is a great chance for young people to showcase their talents,” said Hott, who coordinated a successful Bill Riley Talent Search at the 2012 Buena Vista County Fair. He adds that since the Talent Search at the Threshermen & Collectors Show is the second to last of 61 local show listings, it will be attractive for contestants statewide who might not have qualified earlier in the summer.

Emcee will be Amanda Schreier of Aurelia and judges will be Candy Clough, Storm Lake; Nikole Nuttall, Newell; and Joanne Tucker, Storm Lake. 

The event takes place at the Threshermen’s stage at 6 p.m. Aug. 9. A full 88-key keyboard will be available.

Contestants can go online and sign up for the Bill Riley Talent Search at Threshermens through the Iowa State Fair Bill Riley Talent Search website online. If anyone has any questions, please call Ron Hott at 712-299-4402.