Vocals from people of all ages erupted from under the big tent at Smokey Bear Park Thursday and Friday during the Teen Idol and Casting Call competitions.
The seventh annual singing competitions drew a large crowd and event organizers were pleased with the turnout.
“I thought the turnout for both events were great,” said Carol Pullar, one of the event’s organizers.
Pullar remarked on all the talent in the community and surrounding areas that came to the stage for the popular International Falls Bass Championship event.
Vocalists ages 8 to 15 took the stage Thursday following the parade of boats. Nine contestants participated singing songs made popular by people ranging from Taylor Swift to Mickey Gilley. Dylan Streiff from the Falls took home the top prize after he belted out “Don’t the Girls Get Prettier at Closing Time.”
Other winners for the Teen Idol contest were: Madison Foss, second place; Dylan Ossachuk, third place; Zeandra Vohler, fourth place; and Sofia Oleson, fifth place.
Singers ages 16 and up filled the big tent with their voices Friday night. A husband and wife duo, an 88-year-old songstress, and an acappella group were among the 13 acts to perform.
Brent “Smiley” Olson came out on top with his rendition of “What Do You Think About That” by Montgomery Gentry.
Other winners for Casting Call included: Paper Parlor consisting of Kirdan Wenger, Wilson Johnson, and Judah Chezick, second place; Charity Alverson, third place tie; Brittany Hays, third place tie; Wendy Pedginski, third place tie; and Kayla Lauzon received viewer’s choice.
“The singers were all just fantastic,” Pullar said. “I thought overall everything went very well.”
Pullar added that she is already looking forward to next year’s contest. “I know we have more talented people out there,” she said.
Under hypnosis
Following Casting Call Friday, laughter was the main sound filling the air at Smokey Bear Park as “Damian the Hypnotist” took the stage.
Back by demand from last year’s bass championship, Damian had crowds laughing until they cried with his R-rated hypnotism show.
The hypnotist dwindled 20 volunteers down to six and had the group rapping in Japanese, acting like apes, thinking they were on the Jerry Springer Show and much more.
Before hypnotizing his volunteers, Damian assured them after he was finished, they would feel as if they got eight hours of sleep and if they smoked, he would see to it that they never did again.
For photos, pick up today's edition of The Journal, or visit www.ifallsjournal.smugmug.com.
