Get Your Entry in Now for the State Fair's "Star Spangled Challenge"

News from the New York State Fair:

Entries are due June 8 for the second annual Great New York State Fair "Star Spangled Challenge" contest.

 

The contest, which began last year, aims to choose 12 singers for the daily National Anthem at the New York State Fair. 

 

"We're getting all kinds of entries from all areas of the state, but we want even more as this last week for entering the contest begins," said Acting Fair Director Troy Waffner. "Even if you entered last year, you can enter again this year. Grab your cell phone and give it a shot.  It's a fun competition and who knows - you might wind up a winner."

 

Entries so far cover a wide range of performers and musical styles. Most are solo singers, but a man named Larry from Staten Island performs the anthem on his saxophone, Chuck and Betsy from Fulton sing in harmony as a duo, and the more than 60 members of the Liverpool Community Chorus put the power of many voices behind the song.  

 

Many show themselves singing at public gatherings, such as Syracuse University basketball games, a minor league baseball game and the Oswego Speedway.

 

Competition submissions must be made by midnight June 8 at http://bit.ly/StarSpangled2016 this link.  Competitors should create and submit short videos that show them performing "The Star Spangled Banner."  

 

A panel of judges will narrow the entries to 20 finalists.  Public voting then begins on a special page on the fair's Facebook site, and the 12 competitors with the highest vote totals will be selected to sing the anthem on one of the fair's 12 days.

 

To enter the challenge, contestants should create videos no longer than three minutes of themselves performing the first verse of "The Star Spangled Banner."  Performers can sing alone or in groups, and instrumental-only versions are allowed.  There are two ways to enter the competition:

• Upload videos to the contest site on the Fair's Facebook page at http://bit.ly/StarSpangled2016 and fill out the brief entry form there.
• Email submissions to newyorkstatefair@agriculture.ny.gov. Contestants must email the actual video file and not a link to a file housed on another site.

 

All entries, however they are submitted, must include the performer's name, address and phone number.  Emailed entries will be added to the contest site by fair staff by the next business day. Four judges will select 20 finalists. 

 

Public voting on the 20 finalists begins June 14 and runs through midnight, July 3. The 12 contestants with the most votes will be chosen to sing the anthem on the Chevy Court stage at 9:58 a.m. and again at about 1 p.m. in the Toyota Coliseum on their performance day, which will be assigned at a later date. 

 

People are limited to one vote per person and are encouraged to share the competition with their Facebook friends to help their chosen candidate.

 

Winners will be announced on July 5.