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Washington Evening Journal
111 North Marion Avenue
Washington, IA 52353
319-653-2191
Festival of talents winners
Riley's father, Bill Riley Sr., began the Bill Riley Talent Search in 1959 and continued to support the competition until he retired in 1996. Bill Riley Jr. then took over the hosting duties. He continues to travel around the state of Iowa supporting and encouraging performers from ages 2 to 21 years old. Winners at county-level shows then compete for top honors during the Iowa State Fair in August. The Talent Search is held on the Plaza Stage that was renamed the Anne and bill Riley Stage in honor of the Riley family.
Photo courtesy of Nancy Trier, Show Coordinator 2019 Washington County Fair's 'Festival of Talents' winners are: Front row, left to right, First-place Sprout – Sydney Schroeder, Burlington, Lyrical solo and Sprout Bill Riley State Fair representative; second-place Sprout – Nikolas Schroeder, Burlington, Hip Hop solo; third-place Sprout – Ryen Pepper, Brighton, and Reese Stephens, Richland, Acro/Jazz duet. Back row, left to right, Nancy Trier, 'Festival of Talents' Show coordinator; first-place Senior – Lydia Fisher, Wapello, Tap solo; second-place Senior – Kyra Alison Helmuth, Kalona, Vocal solo and Senior Bill Riley State Fair representative; third-place Senior – Makayla Lilly-Sherwood, Burlington, Jazz solo; and Bill Riley Jr., host of the State Fair Talent Search Championship Show.
