It’s All Good at First Town Days Talent Show

  • By Teri Stein
  • July 7, 2013
  • 405
                        
Summary: It’s not the hot sausage sandwiches or the French fries or the chocolate dipped bananas that keep crowds coming back to First Town Days on Sunday afternoon – it’s the talent! Tuscarawas County’s top performers made for an entertaining afternoon of festival fun. A total of 25 acts graced the stage and, at times, the street at the annual First Town Days talent show held at Tuscora Park on Sunday July 7. The show is sponsored by area dentists, Dr. Richard Burns and Dr. Nathan Springer. “To me there was no real stand out because they all were so good,” said Scott Miller, who has organized the competition for the past 16 years. Miller enjoys doing the show because he likes to see all the talent our area has to offer. “Each year it gets better. It’s nice to see the improvement of the individuals year after year.” Still, with all that talent judges Danielle Henry, 2006 First Town Days queen; Allie Aksterowicz, 2009 First Town Days queen and Dr. Springer had the tough job of picking winners. Earning first place in the 13 and under category was Belle Fockler, 8, of New Philadelphia for her performance of the song “Tomorrow” while dressed as Little Orphan Annie. “I just liked that song. It was the easiest song I knew how to sing,” said Belle, who is the daughter of Aaron and Lisa Fockler. Belle takes acting lessons at the Adonai Fine Arts Center in New Philadelphia. “I had practiced singing it for my recital at the Performing Arts Center,” she said. Belle didn’t hesitate when asked what she would be using her $75 prize for, “I’m going to the American Girls store in Columbus,” she said adding that she already has one American Girl doll in her collection. Second place in 13 and under went to Lexi Schupbach, 11, who won $50 for her energetic dance performance to “Die Young.” Third place and $25 went to Nate Rucker and Anthony and Christopher Young of New Philadelphia, who performed an original Christian rap song, “A Soldier of God.” Sydney Jeffries, 16, of New Philadelphia took the top spot in the 14 and up age group with her lyrical dance to “Absence of Fear.” “It’s harder to perform on the street,” said Sydney who admitted to suffering a few scrapes during her performance. She was ending her weekend on a high note after winning second place on Friday evening at the Gnadenhutten Fireworks Festival talent show. The routine Sydney performed was one she learned for a dance competition; she studies at Arielettes in Wheeling, West Virginia. Sydney has been dancing since ever since she could walk, starting around the age of one. She is the daughter of Michele Jeffries and Dan Kovalski. Taking second in the 14 and up age group was Ciana Petrullo, 15, of Dover who danced to “Goodbye My Lover.” Third place went to Faith Nordine, 18, of Dover who sang “Hallelujah” by Alexandra Burke. All the winners received a trophy and a cash award. There were not enough awards to go around for all the exciting and talented performances. Crowd favorites were T.J. Cox, 10, with his flashy footwork while singing “Blue Swede Shoes;” Kristopher Ferrell, 20, with his guitar solo to “Free Bird;” Nathan Nordine performed as two singers, Willie Nelson and Julio Iglesias, to “All the Girls We’ve Loved Before” showing off his split personality with a crazy half country, half sophisticated suit outfit;” Drexel Weber, 16, sang “Wanted” by Hunter Hayes; Chloe Adams, 16, and Rachel Litty, 16, sang “Radioactive;” and Abbi Cox, Ester Massey, and Susi Cox performing as The Smash Sisters sang a lovely and impressive a cappella version of “Lord of the Dance.” Other performers in the 13 and under group were: Sarah Grace Gamble, Rachel Lee Gamble, Kinzie Ricker, Ezrin Flowers, Hannah Gamble, Jocelynn Steeber, Samantha Krocker, and Kayla Marie Gamble. Other performers in the 14 and up group were: Larry Schweitzer, Kayla Nicole Losey, Ricky A. Johnson, David Smith, and Macie Raber. With the quality of this year’s performances, one thing is certain if you want to have a chance at winning next year’s talent competition you’d better start practicing now.


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