Calling all amateur singers, dancers, musicians, jugglers, acrobats and talented people of all ages and abilities: Registration is now open to audition for the 52nd Annual Minnesota State Fair Amateur Talent Contest sponsored by Chase. Auditions run Monday, July 21, through Sunday, July 27, at the Bandshell on the fairgrounds. Registration is available online at https://www.mnstatefair.org/competitions/amateur-talent-contests/. The deadline to register for auditions is 4 p.m. Wednesday, July 23. Everyone who auditions receives a commemorative MSF Amateur Talent Contest T-shirt.
From the summer auditions, semifinalists are selected to perform during the first 10 days of this year’s Minnesota State Fair on the Bandshell stage. Winners from the semifinals then compete in the finals on Sunday, Aug. 31, on the Grandstand stage. In total, more than $20,000 in prize money is awarded to the first- through third-place winners in three divisions: Open Division (any age), Teen Division (ages 13-18) and Preteen Division (ages 12 and under).
Over the past five decades, more than 17,500 acts have auditioned for the MSF Amateur Talent Contest, with more than 5,800 qualifying for semifinal competition. More than $275,000 in prize money has been awarded to top finishers. Past winners include Nashville-based country music singer-songwriter Caitlyn Smith, local theater actor Max Wojtanowicz, beatbox artist DJ Snuggles, piano prodigies Emma and Jacob Taggart, and Minneapolis’ first family of soul The Steeles.
The Minnesota State Fair is one of the largest and best-attended expositions in the world. Showcasing Minnesota’s finest agriculture, art and industry, the Great Minnesota Get-Together is 12 Days of Fun Ending Labor Day. The State Fair is financially self-supporting and does not receive government appropriation.
