BELLOWS FALLS — The 2017 Southern Vermont Idol event, a premier amateur singing competition in its 13th year, will be held on the main stage of the 550-seat Bellows Falls Opera House over five weeks - Thursday, July 6 and 13 at 7 p.m.; Sunday, July 23 and 30 at 2 p.m.; and Friday, Aug. 4, at 7 p.m.
Contestants 13 and over will perform all five weeks, and be joined by youth contestants in weeks three, four, and five.
Youth contestants ages 6-12 are: from Vermont, Erlianyss Aviles, Lanie Goodwin, Ezra Holloway, and Anthony Mitchell; from New Hampshire, Marlin Hubbard.
Adult contestants are: from Vermont, Jaia Caron, Jenna Cousineau, Jennifer Cowdrey, Bill Delaney, Josh Delaney, Amber DiBona, Mackenzie Hall, Madison Jacques, Steven Judd, Allie McGahie, Gina Richardson, and Sonya Robison; from New Hampshire, Zac Binney, Morgan Carter, Jamie Denno, Lara Germana, Daniel Hartigan, and Alexis Johndrow; from Massachusetts, Erin Girouard.
The top four adults have a chance to win the grand prize of $1500 and a full-day recording session at Guilford Sound. Second prize is $750, third $500, and fourth $250. The top four youth will win trophies, cash, and prizes. All finalists will be invited to perform on stage during Old Home Days festivities on Saturday, Aug. 5.
The emcee for the event is comedian, singer, and entertainer Wade Garrett. Judges for July 6 are Joanne Mead, Bruce Murphy, and 2007 grand prize winner, Karen Bays Ducharme, who also will perform. Judges' scores count for 50 percent of contestant total, and audience scores constitute the remaining 50 percent.