Talented performers who live in the Fox Valley showed their strengths as they took part in auditions recently to secure a slot in the Montgomery’s Got Talent contest at the annual Montgomery Festival.
The fest will be held Aug. 7 to 9. Performers chosen for Montgomery’s Got Talent will be on stage beginning at 1 p.m. Aug. 8 in Montgomery Park.
“I wanted to have this so young performers can perform in front of the hometown crowd,” said Trustee Stan Bond, who started the talent show four years ago.
As 9-year-old Matthew Ripsch was preparing for his audition recently, his parents along with a younger brother were lugging in equipment and helping to tune the guitar he used as he performed a rendition of “Johnny Be Good.” He is now scheduled to take the stage at Montgomery Festival.
Judges said another promising entrant, Patricia Cox, said she had raised her children and is now performing, as that was part of her dream
“She is doing some recording, she sings, we were just blown away with the talent,” said Jenna Constable, one of the judges for the tryouts.
Another entrant in the competition is 11-year-old Peyton Nedrow.
“I have some fans. I use Instagram. I am not allowed to have Facebook,” said the singer before her rendition of “Amazing Grace.” “I like to perform on stage. I have dreamed of that.”
Jill Saleda-Layton is an adult performer who said she had been bitten with the desire to sing to a crowd when she was young. The Dolly Parton fan will be singing to Fox Valley residents after her performance of “If Loving You is Wrong” got her into Montgomery’s Got Talent.
Constable said each year those who audition continue to amaze the judges.
“There is some talent out there,” she said after the auditions.
Judge Renee Mason said it is fun to watch people perform, and that talent is widespread in the Montgomery area.
Pochel is a freelance reporter