Header
 
 

2010 Showcase Oldham County

Expo to feature
Oldham Icon talent contest

Event features more than
100 exhibitor booths

By Helen E. McKinney
Contributing Writer

BUCKNER, Ky. (March 2010) – Live entertainment has been a regular feature of Showcase Oldham County for some time. This year, 20 contestants are vying for the top position of Oldham Icon and hoping to outshine the competition.

2009 Showcase Oldham County

Photo by Don Ward

Last year’s chamber business
networking luncheon drew a large crowd
prior to the Showcase opening.

Local musical talent filled Performance Hall at the Oldham County Schools Arts Center in Crestwood on Feb. 24 to audition for a spot in the finals. “The top 20 contestants with the highest numerical scores were invited to compete in the finals,” said Tori Favier, office manager for the Oldham Chamber & Economic Development.
Tensions mounted during auditions when two contestants tied for the 20th seat. They had to sing a second time to determine who would be invited to the finals. The judges were Alvin MacWilliams, executive director of the Oldham County Schools Arts Center; Laura Hagan, reporter for The Oldham Era; Rick Ewen, Realtor with Century 21 and former radio personality; and Barry Laws, owner of Open Range Sports with numerous acting credits to his name.
“The panel of judges each numerically scored the contestants individually based on vocal ability, originality and stage presence,” said Favier. The top 20 finalists for Oldham Icon will each perform one song before judges and a live audience at Showcase Oldham County, beginning at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 13. Winners will be announced after all contestants have performed.

Friday, March 12:
• 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.: Sneak preview for exhibitors and business leaders only.
• 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.: Power networking and Kickoff Luncheon for business representatives only.

Saturday, March 13:
• 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.:
Showcase Oldham County is open to the public.
• 1 p.m.: Finalists for Oldham Icon will be presented, with winners announced at 3 p.m.

• A new feature will be added to Showcase Oldham County this year – “Showcase Bingo.” Visitors will receive a bingo card when they come into Showcase. When they visit an exhibitor, they will receive a stamp. When their card is covered, they will be eligible to win a cash prize of $150. All coverall cards will go into a pot and a drawing will be done immediately following the finals of the Oldham Icon contest, which begins at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 13.

Oldham Icon Top 20 Finalists:
Brandy Neelly, Kelly Cissell, Clinton Spaulding, Madison Armor, Crystal Husband, Mark Dickerson, Darlene Welch, Melissa Crabtree, David Sapp, Rachel Banta, Denise Watts-Wilson, Rachel Smith, Elizabeth Chace, Regan Hardaway, Joanna Galvan, Stephanie Page, Johanna Papa, Tanisha House, Keelia Breenan, Truman Simpson.

“Our judges are again being asked to cast numerical scores for each performance, with one additional scoring category added for appearance,” said Favier. “The contestant with the highest score will receive first prize, the title Oldham Icon and $350 cash.” The second place contestant will receive $150 cash.
Oldham Icon is an official program of the Oldham Chamber & Economic Development presented by The Game Room and sponsored by The Oldham Era.
Live entertainment adds value for visitors and exhibitors alike, said Favier. “The Oldham Icon competition is a great fit for the Showcase Oldham County event. There is no better place to celebrate the hidden talent in our area.”
Showcase Oldham County actually begins the previous day, Friday, March 12, with a sneak preview for exhibitors and chamber members from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Oldham County YMCA Soccer Complex, located at 20 Quality Place in Buckner. From 11 a.m. until 2 p.m., a Kickoff Luncheon, sponsored by Norton Brownsboro Hospital, will be held. The show will be open to the public on March 13 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The showcase is being held at the Soccer Complex because “we have almost 100 exhibitors and there are few places in the Oldham County community that offers space for a 100 exhibitor trade show,” said Deana Epperly Karem, executive director of the Oldham County Chamber of Commerce. Showcase Oldham County is presented by Baptist Hospital Northeast.
Included in the Saturday lineup will be family activities, indoor fun zone for kids, a new car show, hot air balloon and giveaways. Baptist Hospital Northeast will offer a health fair with free health screenings and a CPR class. Participating local businesses will offer workshops on various household improvements.

Madison Armor

Photo provided

Contestant Madison
Armor performs
during the
preliminary round
in late February.
In all, 20 singers
advanced to the finals,
to be held March 13
at the Showcase.

A new feature, Bingo, will be played at this year’s event with a $150 cash prize award.
To play, visitors will be given a stamp and must visit booths with their Showcase card. Once they have filled up their card, it will be put in a pot and eligible for the cash prize.
An Exhibitor Appreciation Breakfast was held on Feb. 26 at the John Black Community Center in Buckner to get exhibitors “pumped up” about the show, said Karem. The show celebrates Oldham County through exhibits, workshops and local entertainment.
The theme for this year’s showcase is “Oldham County – Open for Business.”
“This year’s theme is the theme of everything we do,” Karem said. “Oldham County, Open for Business means we are open for customers, tradition and opportunity.”
Karem said the theme implies that the county welcomes a host of things including “ideas, businesses, employees, entrepreneurs, partnerships and whatever can help to make a business a successful venture in our community.”
In the past, the Showcase has provided a wonderful opportunity for the community to see the different types of businesses that are present within the county, said Robin Lawson, Oldham County Chamber of Commerce Board Chairman. “The Showcase has been successful in showcasing to the community our members and the offerings they have.”
“Oldham County stands ready to support new and long-time businesses,” Karem said. “We want our residents to utilize the services of our Chamber members and Oldham county businesses, and we want businesses to consider Oldham County a great place for a new or expanded location.”

Back to March 2010 Articles.

 

 

Copyright 1999-2015, Kentuckiana Publishing, Inc.

Pick-Up Locations Subscribe Staff Advertise Contact Submit A Story Our Advertisers Columnists Archive Area Links Area Events Search our Site Home Monthly Articles Calendar of Events Kentucky Speedway Madison Chautauqua Madison Ribberfest Madison Regatta