White River Water Carnival to include White River’s Got Talent Competition

This year’s White River Water Carnival will include a new talent competition that promises to be a real crowd pleaser according to a release from presenting sponsors, First Community Bank and Bad Boy, Inc. “The ‘White River’s Got Talent’ competition will add a new dimension to this year’s entertainment,” said Boris Dover, President and COO. “The competition is open to amateur talent who is looking for the chance to perform and win this year’s title and a share of some very enticing prize money,” Dover concluded.

Audition tryouts for the White River’s Got Talent competition will be held at UACCB in Batesville, Arkansas on July 21st and July 23rd from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Contestant numbers will be assigned on a first come first served basis and will be limited to the first 30 acts each night.

From the audition scores, ten finalists will be selected by a panel of outside judges to advance to the final competition. Finals will be held at 6:00 p.m. at the outdoor amphitheatre at Riverside Park on July 31st. Cash prizes of $1,000 to the winner, $500 to 2nd place and $250 to third place will be awarded on-stage immediately following the competition.

Singers, musicians, dancers, magicians, comedians and all other entertaining talents are invited to participate in the White River’s Got Talent competition. The participants will be judged on stage presence/personality, talent presentation, entertainment factor and overall performance. Acts are limited to no more than five members and must not exceed three minutes. Persons under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian and must have parental permission to participate in the contest. No animal acts or dangerous stunts will be allowed.

The White River’s Got Talent finale will kick-off the free community concert on July 31st at Riverside Park. “This community event will be a night of free family entertainment,” said Dover. “In addition to the White River’s Got Talent finalist competition, First Community Bank and Bad Boy have lined up two quality bands to carry on the tradition of great music during the Water Carnival,” said Dover.

Jericho Crossing, a Jonesboro-based band, will follow the talent competition. Their music has been described as ‘Fleetwood Mac meets Little Big Town’. Their debut project is scheduled to release this summer.

To round-out the evening, The Venus Mission, a Memphis-based group, will close with a high-energy stage act that will feature hits from the 70s, 80s, 90s and today as well as several originals.

“The White River Water Carnival, Arkansas’s oldest annual water event, is a tradition for locals as well as out-of-town guests. It is rich in heritage with fun things to do including the musical entertainment, sporting events, car show, bike show, grand parade and beauty pageant,” continued Dover. “First Community Bank and Bad Boy, Inc. are proud to introduce the ‘White River’s Got Talent’ event. We hope that it too will become an annual event that will add to the excitement and draw for the Water Carnival. As sponsors, we are delighted to eliminate the ticket and admission fee to Friday night’s shows in the park. We hope that our community will come out in full force to enjoy the entertainment,” Dover concluded.

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 be completed prior to lining up for the audition.

For information on the free concert in the park, or other events and activities related to the White River Water Carnival, log on to the Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce’s web site at www.mybatesville.org, or call the Chamber at 870-793-2378.