This summer Monticello will be sharing her talent with the world… or at least the state. On Tuesday, August 12th, Monticello talents will get the opportunity to perform at the Illinois State Fair as a part of “Monticello Day” event. On one of 17 stages throughout the Illinois State Fairgrounds and from 11:00am until 8:00pm, a variety of local Monticello artists will fill the stage, accompanying the “Monticello Day” tent and demonstrating to fairgoers the wonderful talent that Monticello calls her own.
Three of the talents performing are the top three winners of the Monticello’s Got Talent competition this past May. Monticello High School students Steven Schroeder and Tabitha Dunn, and Illinois State University student Jessica Vorreyer will be the solo acts for this event. Schroeder plays the acoustic guitar and Dunn is a talented vocalist. Vorreyer placed first at the Monticello’s Got Talent event and complements her singing with her own guitar accompaniment. All three performers received high praise from celebrity judges Scot England, Ed Williams and Andy Roberts, despite the freezing cold wind and rain afflicting the outdoor performances.
Four Wheel Drive, the official barbershop quartet of the Monticello Rotary Club has been singing together for about 5 years. Songs the group performs are over well 100 years old, with the newest songs having debuted in the 50s. The quartet uses donations from their performances to go towards eradicating polio worldwide through Rotary International’s Polio Plus Program. Four Wheel Drive won’t just be singing at the state fair, as this fall the group hopes to sing the National Anthem at some U of I sports events.
Other group musicians include the ever-popular King Family Strings, High Cotton, Splintered Cross and the Monticello High School Madrigal Singers. Students from the Jones Institute of Karate also will be demonstrating their martial arts skills to passersby’s.
The Hometown Pride Stage Schedule is as follows:
11:00am High Cotton, band
12:00pm Tabitha Dunn, Vocal Soloist
1:00pm Jones Institute of Karate
2:00pm Steven Schroeder, Guitar Soloist
3:00pm Monticello High School Madrigal Singers
3:30pm 4-Wheel Drive, Vocal Group
4:00pm Splintered Cross, Christian Rock Band
5:00pm Jessica Vorreyer, Guitar/Vocal soloist
6:00 – 8:00pm King Family Strings, Bluegrass
Monticello is invited and encouraged to come and support the local talent at their performances. The Monticello Day Hometown Pride event runs 10:00am to 8:00pm on Tuesday, August 12th. Area organizations will be represented alongside the entertainment stage, marketing the community to fairgoers. Take the bus for only $16! Bus reservations must be made by August 8th and can be done by calling the Municipal Building. All groups involved in the “Monticello Day” event have generously donated their time and resources to participate in this event. For more information on this event, contact Callie Jo McFarland at the City of Monticello 762.2583, or visit www.monticelloEnews.com.
