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Townsley, Turner, and Lane land top talent show placements
Familiar names from the Henry County Fair head to Iowa State Fair for Bill Riley Talent Show
Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
MT. PLEASANT — Names of senior Bill Riley Talent Show winners Kaelyn Townsley, Preston Turner, and Aria Lane, who danced with Lily McEntee, will likely ring some bells in the Henry County community thanks to the resilience of each performing returning to the stage at the Henry County Fair for number of years.
Wright Pavilion came alive Thursday, July 17 as performers danced, sang, and stomped their way to the top of the Bill Riley Talent Show, earning recognition and a trip to the Iowa State Fair this August.
Kaelyn Townsley, 17, of Winfield, took first place in the senior division with a tap dance routine that matched sharp skill with flair. Clad in pleather leggings and a bomber jacket that perfectly fit the vibe of Kenny Loggins’ “Danger Zone,” Townsley delivered a performance with unique edginess. Her precise footwork was matched by spunky facial expressions that captivated the audience from start to finish.
Townsley is no stranger to the Bill Riley Talent Search. She began performing in the competition over a decade ago, first stepping onto the stage in 2012 as a petite division contestant.
Over the years, she’s competed across the state, collecting top finishes at local shows and making multiple appearances on the Iowa State Fair stage — often with tap routines that fuse precision with personality.
Her progression from a young novice to a polished senior division champion has been a hallmark of the Henry County show.
Second place went to Aria Lane, 13, of Mt. Pleasant, and Lily McEntee, 14, of Keosauqua, whose dynamic dance duet to “Drag Me Out” by Kah-Lo left very little of the stage untouched. The two flipped, posed, and powered across every corner of the cement designated for performances in a high-energy routine that kept the crowd fully engaged.
Over the last couple of years Lane has not been a stranger to landing in the top three category of these shows, though this is her first year performing in the senior category.
Preston Turner Jr., a 17-year-old from Farmington, earned third place with a soulful vocal rendition of Roy Orbison’s “Crying.” His rich tone and measured delivery captured the essence of an old-school crooner, offering a polished contrast to the night’s more modern acts.
Because both Townsley and the Lane-McEntee duo had already qualified for the state level at previous competitions, all three top senior acts will be heading to the Iowa State Fair to compete once again.
“It was a really fun night. I hope you enjoyed the show,” said longtime emcee Jill Taylor. “This is not always my favorite part, because you’re all the winners every single time for getting out there and doing what you love.”
Each contestant received a participation ribbon, and Taylor encouraged performers to pick up feedback from the judges after the show.
“We’re all here to get better at it,” she said. “If you can praise them and give them a little bit of encouragement about what they could have done better — that’s what it’s all about.”
Taylor also extended thanks to the Henry County Fair Board for their continued support.
“The Fair Board is very generous,” she said. “First prize is $100, second is $60 and then $40. I’m really happy about that.”
In a special appearance, Bill Riley Jr. — who continues the legacy of his father, Bill Riley Sr., founder of the Iowa State Fair talent search — was on hand to emcee and inspire the contestants.
“Jill was already talking about how proud we are of each and every one of you,” Riley Jr. said. “If today isn’t your day, you hold your head high. You were really, really good today. And remember, you’re an entertainer first and the competitive part is second.”
Riley Jr., who has overseen the show since 1997, emphasized the heart behind the decades-old tradition that began in 1959.
“You put on a heck of a show today and entertained a spectacular crowd,” he said, as cheers erupted from the audience.
The performers’ next stop: the Iowa State Fair, where they’ll bring Henry County pride — and no shortage of talent — to the state stage once again.
Comments: AnnaMarie.Kruse@southeastiowaunion.com
