Strawberry Festival searching for the next Bolivar Idol
The winner of Bolivar Idol will have the opportunity to perform on the main stage of the Bolivar Strawberry Festival with Slick31, sponsor of the contest.
Think you’ve got the best vocals in the area? If so, the Bolivar Strawberry Festival’s Bolivar Idol contest is for you.
The Bolivar Idol 2022 competition, sponsored by local band Slick31, will take place Friday, June 10 in the South Tent on Canal Street. The top vocalist will have the opportunity to sing with Slick31 on stage in the Main Tent after the contest.
The competition is karaoke-style, meaning contestants will choose the songs they want to sing but may not play instruments.
“We hope to get people to sign up online before the competition,” Keith Fockler of Slick31 said. “That way we can communicate it to the DJ in advance.”
Fockler said each contestant will perform a song in the preliminary round, after which finalists will be chosen to sing a second piece. Judges will be representatives of Slick31 or others with music backgrounds.
The top-three performers will get gift certificates from local merchants in the amount of $50 for third place, $100 for second and $150 for first.
Lindsay Fockler, also of Slick31, said although contestants can register the night of the contest, it would be good to sign up in advance.
“That way we can ensure the DJ has their song,” she said. “If they show up the day of and they’ve prepared a song and the DJ doesn’t have it, that could be a problem.”
It also allows the contestant to practice their singing before performing in the contest.
A catalog of songs can be accessed online with the registration form. However, contestants may submit the names of two songs they’d like to perform, even if they are not in the catalog, and the D.J will bring them, according to Keith Fockler.
Open to all ages
Bolivar Idol is open to all ages this year. “Initially, we had limited the competition to people up to age 25. I think to keep it kind of in line with ‘American Idol,’” Keith Fockler said. “But we’ve recently lifted the age restriction so anybody at any age can compete.”
An online registration form can be accessed at www.villageofbolivar.com by clicking on the Strawberry Festival link under the Main Street menu at the top-right corner of the screen. Contestants under the age of 18 must have a parent or legal guardian sign the application.
Keith Fockler said the band is sponsoring the competition as its way of supporting the Strawberry Festival and giving back to the community.
Lindsay Fockler, who has worked as the musical director for several plays at Tusky Valley High School, said, “I really like harvesting talent and giving people a chance to have a musical outlet, like we do with the band. Most of our band members are from the area too. We encourage people to come out and just have fun.”
Competition schedule
The preliminary round will be held Friday, June 10 from 4-6 p.m. Finalists will be announced after the strawberry queen is crowned at 6 p.m. The final round will be held at 7 p.m., with the winner asked to perform with Slick31 at 8 p.m., if they desire.