The Helper Idol competition is making its way back to the Castle Country area and the deadline to enter is quickly approaching. The competition is going to take place at the Annual Helper Arts, Music and Film Festival in August and there is some serious cash prizes on the line.

“We’re very excited to say that first place is a $3,000.00 grand prize – so that’s cash in hand, second place is $1,500.00 and third place is $500.00 and I know that all of our ten finalists are going to receive huge goodie bags and stuff like that. So we are very, very excited for this event,” said Event Organizer, Amanda Holley-Paiz (PIES). This competition was modeled after “American Idol”— a television series singing competition. Helper Idol follows a similar format, and this year the preliminary event to determine the ten finalists will happen during the regularly scheduled First Friday event taking place on August 2 from 6:00 pm–9:00 pm.

Those ten finalists will then move on in the competition to perform on August 17 during the Helper Arts, Music and Film Festival. The ten finalists will perform beginning at 6:00 pm at the stage in the Main Street Park and that group will be reduced to the top three. Those three contestants will perform a second song with the judges determining first, second and third places.

The registration deadline is Friday, July 26 and the cost is $50.00. “If you would like to pick up an application, they are available at Helper City Hall – so you can pick them up. You can obviously take a picture of them on your phone and email them digitally to me, my email address is actually on the application I believe,” stated Holley-Paiz. There is an opportunity for contestants to receive a $10.00 discount by posting a video of themselves stating why they should be the next Helper Idol on the event’s Facebook page.

Any individuals who may have further questions about the Helper Idol competition may call (435) 820-1599 for more information.