Spectators can enjoy an evening of FREE, wholesome family entertainment courtesy of First Community Bank and Bad Boy Inc.
The evening will begin at 5 p.m. withs added to give contestants 14 and under the opportunity to compete in an age-appropriate category,” said Boris Dover, president and chief operating officer of First Community Bank.
“This newly formed youth division wanificant number of younger contestants at last year’s tryouts, which pointed out the need to create separate divisions.”
Ten finalists, selected from the youth auditions, will compete for $500 for first place, $250 for second place and $100 for third place.
The adult division competition will begin at 6 p.m. with performances by the top 10 finalists.
Prizes for the adult division are $1,000 for first place, $250 for second place and $100 for third place.
“Based on last year’s competition, you can expect to see great diversity in the acts and unbelievable talent,” Dover said. “We were amazed by the level of talent last year. We attracted contestants from a large region, including Batesville, Pocahontas, Newport, Newark, Calico Rock, Jonesboro, Grubbs, Evening Shade, Bryant, Searcy, Bald Knob, Pleasant Plains, Melbourne, Mountain View, Cherokee Village, Concord, Drasco and Cave City.”
Participants can pick up White River’s Got Talent applications and release forms at any First Community Bank location or access the forms online at www.firstcommunity.net. Applications can also be picked up at the Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce. The forms should not be returned until audition night.
Shane Sturdivant, last year’s first-place winner, will perform for the audience and assist with the prize presentations.
Two free community concerts will round out the evening. The first group, Party Planet, will take the stage at 7:30 p.m. The Memphis-based band features Al Paris, former lead singer for Kool & the Gang. Other members are Vicki Loveland, lead singer; Niko Lyras, guitarist; Dave Smith, bassist; Steve Potts, drummer; Lannie McMillan, sax master; and Jason Clark, keyboardist. These musicians have performed with Albert King, Olanda Draper, Isaac Hayes, The Charlie Daniels Band, Johnny Lang, Norah Jones, Dionne Warwick, The Moody Blues, Foghat and many others.
Party Planet’s repertoire includes “Single Ladies,” Wonderful World” and “Proud Mary” and medleys by Kool & The Gang, Michael Jackson, Aretha Franklin, the Beatles and Elvis Presley.
The Haven Hill band will close out the evening with an arsenal of timeless rock songs written by front man Michael Collins. Collins is joined by drummer Evan Willons; bass player Landon Moore; and guitarist /backup vocalist Chris Johnson. Collins, a veteran of stage and studio, has played countless shows in front of thousands of people. He spent a summer locked in a room putting pen to paper coming up with emotion-packed songs. The group awaits the release of its first full-length album.
“The Water Carnival has a reputation for being a ‘must see’ event,” Dover said. “In addition to Friday night’s concert, the Water Carnival Committee has contracted the Kentucky Headhunters to headline the Saturday night show. Everything is coming together for an extraordinary 67th annual White River Water Carnival, so I hope everyone will make plans to attend!”
Bring your lawn chair, blanket, family and friends and enjoy another great Water Carnival.
