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Washington Evening Journal
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Washington, IA 52353
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Bill Riley Talent Show planned for July 18
MT. PLEASANT — The Bill Riley Talent Show will return to the Henry County Fair with a variety of talented acts beginning at 7 p.m., Thursday, July 18 in the Wright Pavilion.
According to the rules of the Bill Riley Talent Show, the audience will watch three-minute performances from each amateur performer in two age categories.
Individuals aged 2-12 years old will compete in the Sprouts categories, while older competitors between the ages of 13 and 21 will compete in the Seniors category.
Those who wish to participate indicate can register for the event online by indicating what type of act they will perform, such as vocal, dance, piano or other. They’re asked to supply the name of the song they will perform, the type of dance they’re doing, and whether they need a keyboard.
According to a history of the event on the Henry County Fair’s website, Bill Riley was a native of Iowa Falls who emceed variety shows at the Iowa State Fair.
“In 1957, Bill approached Fair secretary Lloyd Cunningham about showcasing talented kids during the State Fair,” stated the website. “Two years’ later, Bill Riley’s first Iowa State Fair Talent Search was held. By August of 1959, Bill had crisscrossed the state holding numerous talent shows. During the Fair, the state’s brightest young stars performed for delighted Fairgoers.”
Riley retired from the Talent Search in 1996, and that year the Plaza Stage was renamed in his honor. Riley passed away in 2006 after celebrating his 60 th fair, according to the website.
