Youth Talent Contest

Contest Rules

1. Registration. Pre-registration is required (registration link). Deadline for entries is Monday, June 15th. There will be no audition for acts.
   
   
2. Entry fee. The contest entry fee is $15 per solo act and $25 per group act, payable by check or cash, either mailed ahead or brought to check-in. Entry fees are non-refundable. Contestants will not be allowed to compete unless entry fee is submitted prior to or at check-in. Make checks payable to the Trustees of Purdue University. Checks can be mailed to Purdue Extension – Marion County, 1202 E. 38th St. Ste. 201, Indianapolis, IN 46205.
   
   
3. Check-in. Check-in begins at 5:30 PM on June 22nd at the Purdue Extension Building.
   
   
4. State fair eligibility. Winners in each category for both the Junior Division and Senior Division are eligible for the Indiana State Fair Youth Talent Contest. Judges may also (but are not required) send the second (2nd) place finisher in each category and age division IF the county official(s) and county contest judges agree the 2nd place finisher/act deserves to compete in the Indiana State Fair Youth Talent Contest. Third (3rd) place finishers will be accepted into the Indiana State Fair Youth Talent Contest if 1st or 2nd place is forfeited prior to the Indiana State Fair Contest. Those eligible for the Indiana State Fair must handle their own fees and transportation to the State Fair. Each contestant coming to the Indiana State Fair may perform in two categories. Entries in the State Fair Contest must meet the Performance Rules and Terms & Conditions outlined in the 2026 Indiana State Fair Youth Talent Contest book found online.
   
   
5. Age divisions. The Youth Talent Contest consists of two divisions:
   
   a. Junior Division: 12 years or less of age (no minimum age).
   b. Senior Division: 13-21 years of age. If you are 13 years of age any time during the year 2026, you must enter the Senior Division.
   c. Group acts must compete in the division determined by the ages of the majority of group members. No one older than 14 years of age may compete in the Junior Division.
   
   
6. Residence requirements. Individuals do not have to reside in Marion County to compete in the event but must be an Indiana resident. Entrants do NOT need to be in 4-H to enter.
   
   
7. Set-up time limits. An official timer will be present. Set-up time for all props, including mats, is two minutes only. Ten penalty points will be deducted if set-up time exceeds two minutes.
   
   
8. Performance time limits. Each act will be allowed a total performance time of two minutes. Ten penalty points will be deducted from the score of any act that exceeds the two-minute time limit. Timing begins when a) when music begins, if music is used, or b) at first movement or vocal utterance of performer without musical accompaniment. Music must end within two-minute limit. There is a 2:30-minute time limit for groups of two or more, and a 5:00-minute time limit for band performances (4 or more members including lead singer, bass player, lead guitarist, and drummer/percussionist).
   
   
9. Equipment. Marion County 4-H does not provide any equipment (including gymnastic mats) except the lighting and sound equipment. All acts will use only the lighting and sound system provided by Marion County 4-H. Instrumentalists may bring their own amplifiers, if needed.
   
   
10. Music. All music must be on a flash drive or CD (good quality), cued, and labeled with the act’s name. This flash drive/CD is to be brought to the Contest at check-in time. Only the contest song should be on the flash drive/CD. Mis-cuing will result in a penalty deduction of 10 points.
    
    
11. Backstage. No one other than the performer(s) will be allowed backstage. This includes all parents and teachers. Failure to comply with these terms and conditions may mean disqualification.
    
    
12. Video recording. Video recording will be allowed only in areas specified for that purpose.
    
    
13. Cheerleaders and baton twirlers. Cheerleaders and baton twirlers or similar acts using batons will be accepted in the Marion County Youth Talent Contest. However, entries in this category will not be eligible for the Indiana State Fair Youth Talent Contest since the State Fair has separate cheerleading and baton competitions.
    
    
14. Theatrical effects. No fire, dry ice, or fog will be allowed on stage.
    
    
15. Act categories. The Marion County 4-H Fair Committee reserves the right to assign acts to what they determine to be the proper categories. The Director of the Youth Talent Contest shall resolve any questions. His/her decision is final. Any ties will be broken by all judges.
    
    
16. Category descriptions. The following category descriptions are to be used as guidelines and are subject to interpretation by the Director of the Youth Talent Contest:
    
    a. Vocal Solo: Shall consist of a solo performance by a vocalist. Instrumental accompaniment by herself/himself or others is allowed but must assume the pure character of accompaniment. The test shall be whether the performance would stand alone if the accompaniment were removed. Any background vocal on tape must be minimal. If performer writes composition and he or she wishes this judged as part of the act, it will be placed in the novelty category. No props allowed.
    
    b. Vocal Group: Shall consist of a performance by two or more vocalists. Instrumental accompaniment by themselves or others is allowed but must assume the pure character of accompaniment. Any vocal background on tape must be minimal. If performer writes composition and they wish this judged as part of the act, it will be placed in the novelty category. No props allowed.
    
    c. Instrumental Solo: Shall consist of a solo instrumental performance without vocal utterance. Accompaniment is allowed but must assume the pure character of accompaniment. The test shall be whether the solo performance would stand alone if the accompaniment were removed. No instrument of the same nature may be used for accompaniment. If performer writes composition and he/she wishes this judged as part of the act, it will be placed in the novelty category.
    
    d. Instrumental Solo/Instrumental Group: Shall consist of a group instrumental performance without vocal utterance. Accompaniment is allowed but must assume the pure character of accompaniment. The test shall be whether the solo performance would stand alone if the accompaniment were removed. No instrument of the same nature may be used for accompaniment. If performer writes composition and he/she wishes this judged as part of the act, it will be placed in the novelty category.
    
    e. Dance Solo (includes Clogging): Shall consist of a solo performance by a dancer. Accompanists are permitted on stage but must not assume visual importance in the performance. Ballet, pointe, tap, and jazz will be judged in this category. Acts may use acrobatics or tumbling moves such as cartwheels, round-offs, flips, and aerials. A limit of two acrobatic or tumbling moves will be permitted. Any props must be part of the costume.
    
    f. Dance Group (includes Clogging): Shall consist of a performance by two or more dancers. Accompanists are permitted on stage but must not assume visual importance in the performance. Ballet, pointe, tap, and jazz will be judged in this category. Acts may use acrobatics or tumbling moves such as cartwheels, round- offs, flips, and aerials. A limit of two acrobatic or tumbling moves will be permitted. Any props must be part of the costume.
    
    g. Variety Solo (Includes Tumbling and Novelty): Shall consist of a solo performance in any act that has not been previously described (such as comedians, mimes, skits, etc.). This category will include acts using a combination of skills from two different categories where one skill does not stand alone (such as singing and dancing, playing an instrument and singing, lip synching and dancing, and the use of props). Props allowed.
    
    h. Variety Group (Includes Tumbling and Novelty): Shall consist of two or more performers in any act that has not been previously described (such as comedians, mimes, skits, etc.). This category will include acts using a combination of skills from two different categories where one skill does not stand alone (such as singing and dancing, playing an instrument and singing, lip synching and dancing, and the use of props). Props allowed. Hand carried props only. Props must be used as an integral part of the act.
    
    
17. Scoring criteria. Scoring will be based on the following Indiana State Fair criteria:
    
    a. Quality of Tone
    b. Technique/Execution
    c. Interpretation/Musicianship
    d. Performance Factors
    e. Choreography and Artistry
    f. Degree of Difficulty
    g. Overall Effect/Judges’ Overall Impression
    
    
18. Awards. All awards will be presented at the end of the competition.