Poland event seeks its own Idol

By Denise Dick | May 31, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

By DENISE DICK

poLand

If you’re a pro at singing in the shower and are ready for a bigger audience, an event later this month may be a good opportunity.

A Poland Idol singing contest is part of the Celebrate Poland event running June 25 and 26 around village hall.

This marks the event’s third year.

The singing contest is set for June 26. Registration begins at 10:30 with the competition starting at noon. The cost to participate is $20.

“We prefer that people preregister,” said Cindy Best, the organizer.

Call Best at 330-651-2999 to preregister.

Singers will be divided into four categories based on age: kindergarten through fourth grade, fifth through eighth grade, high school and adult. Prizes will be awarded.

“We’ll have first-, second- and third-place winners” in each category, Best said.

Like Celebrate Poland festivities, participation in Poland Idol has grown each year, she said.

The contest is open to anyone, and the judges make the decisions. There is no audience vote.

“We do have judges that are, in some manner, music professionals,” Best said. “They have some kind of music background.”

If singing isn’t your thing, Celebrate Poland offers lots of other activities.

The firefighters’ parade, fireworks, Civil War reenactment, craft show, lamplight walking tour at Poland Riverside Cemetery and Chalk It Up chalk-art contest return this year.

New activities include things for children such as a rock-climbing wall and Bounce-A-Round, said Larry Warren, one of the event organizers.

“We’re going to have a dunking booth, and we’re recruiting people to be dunked,” Warren said. “We’ve got a couple of principals who have stepped forward, and we’re working on some other public officials.”

Another new event this year is a Civil War wedding. Youngstown couple Heather Franklin and Christopher Mulidore will tie the knot at the Civil War camp Saturday at the flower garden on the village green.

Best said Poland Idol draws a big audience. Performers sing from the gazebo with viewers bringing lawn chairs and blankets to watch the competition.

“Come out and have a wonderful time,” she said. “We have so much talent in this area. I think that surprises the audience. They’re not quite sure what to expect, and from what I hear, when they leave, they’re impressed by the talent.”