Farm Show to unearth music stars

Think you've got talent? The Farm Show wants to hear from musically-gifted youth ages 8 to 18 for its "Got Talent" contest.

Applications will be accepted through Dec. 22 for the contest, which will be held in the small arena of the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center in Harrisburg. "Farm Show events like the talent contest showcase the best Pennsylvania has to offer," said Agriculture Secretary George Greig in a news release. "Like agriculture, making music teaches life skills, helps in understanding other academic subjects and can give kids a lifetime of enjoyment."

Youth ages 8-18 are eligible for competition in junior, intermediate and senior divisions. Each division includes four categories: vocal solo, vocal group, instrumental solo, and instrumental group. Musical accompaniment may be live, on CD or tape. Mixed-division group ensembles are allowed – the division in which they compete will be determined by the age of the oldest group member. Musical numbers should be three to five minutes in length.

The Pennsylvania Farm Show runs Jan. 7-14 from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Admission is free and parking is $10. The complex is easily accessed from nearby Interstate 81. For a full list of rules or to enter the competition, stop at the complex or visit www.farmshow.state.pa.us and click on "forms." For a complete schedule of Farm Show events, click on "2012 Show."