McHenry County Fair 2025

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2025 Talent Contest

Show off your skills at the McHenry County Fair's Talent Contest!

Step into the spotlight at the McHenry County Fair’s thrilling talent contest! Show off your skills, dazzle the crowd, and seize your moment of fame on stage. Join us for a celebration of talent and creativity like no other!

Download Entry Form
Entry Fee:

$10.00 per act

Judging Time:

Friday, August 1 2025 

Juniors 7:00 pm | Seniors 8:30 pm

Contest Rules and Information

  1. The McHenry County Fair Talent Contest is open to any individual or group who is 21 years of age or younger and who lives in or attends school in McHenry County. First place winners of the 2024 Contest are ineligible to compete in their same division until 2026.
  2. If you were born on or after September 1, 2010, you will compete in the Junior Division. If you were born between August 2, 2003 and August 31, 2010, you will compete in the Senior Division. Proof of age may be required. Group entries will be placed in the division according to the oldest member and all members must meet eligibility requirements.
  3. Registrations will only be accepted for the first 10 entries received in each division. All entries MUST be in the fair office by Friday, July 25, 2025. There is a $10.00 non-refundable entry fee for each act. The talent committee is not responsible for postal delays. If it is getting close to the deadline, please drop off your entry at the fair office: 11900 Country Club Road, Woodstock.
  4. The Contest will be held on Friday, August 1, 2025 at the Hansen Pavilion. The Junior Division will begin at 7:00 p.m. followed by the Senior Division at approximately 8:30 p.m. Contestants should plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before their division begins.
  5. This is a judged competition, and all judges have been selected from qualified individuals with expertise in the performing arts. Judging decisions are final.
  6. Acts will be judged in the following six categories for a perfect score of 100 points: Entertainment Value = 30 points Natural Ability = 30 points Appearance = 10 points Audience Contact = 10 points Choice of Material = 10 points Showmanship = 10 points
  7. Acts must be four (4) minutes or less. Any act longer than four (4) minutes will be disqualified. Set-up time is limited to five (5) minutes. The timing of your act begins when your music starts, you make your first movement, or you speak to the audience. Timing stops when your act is fully completed.
  8. You may only participate in one act and one division. Accompanists may participate in only one act per division. All persons assuming visual importance in the act must meet eligibility requirements.
  9. NO voices, synthesized voices or vocal utterances are allowed on any pre-recorded accompaniment used by a vocal act. NO taps or tap effects are allowed on a recording used by a tap dancer. In an instrumental solo, the only accompaniment allowed is a live or pre-recorded acoustical piano. In piano solo, no accompaniment is allowed. In the use of any electronic keyboard, the contestant must create all sounds live on stage.
  10. The first, second, and third place winners of each division will receive $200, $150, and $100 respectively.
  11. The first-place winner in each division will be eligible to represent McHenry County at the State Talent Competition in Springfield, Illinois, in January 2026.
  12. In the event the first-place act cannot perform at any scheduled time, the runner-up will be invited to attend.
  13. A Rehearsal Day is held on Saturday, July 26, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. at the Hansen Pavilion. The Rehearsal will give you a chance to see the stage, rehearse your act and ask questions. Qualified individuals will be there to help you and give suggestions on how to improve and polish your act. A short talk will be given on what the judges will be looking for. An explanation of the judging categories and helpful hints will be shared. The Sound Tech Manager will also be there to work with your act to ensure it sounds its best. Attendance for the Rehearsal is not mandatory, but it is HIGHLY recommended.
  14. Parents, teachers, and family members are encouraged to attend the Rehearsal to assist with act preparations.
  15. Performance order for the Contest will be chosen on a random number drawing by the contestants on the Rehearsal Day.
  16. The size of the stage is 13 feet deep by 27 feet wide. Electrical outlets, hand-held corded microphones, lighting, and an electrical keyboard will be furnished. Please notify the talent committee if you have any special needs. You need to supply your own musical accompaniment. A sound system will be available for use with connections for MP3 players and Smartphones.
  17. For further information, contact Kathy Thomas at 815-245-6085 or e-mail her at KT10501@aol.com.
  18. To enter, completely fill out the attached Official Entry Form and mail it along with your $10.00 entry fee to:
    McHenry County Fair Talent Contest
    P.O. Box 375
    Woodstock, Illinois 60098
    or enter on-line

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