Bill Riley Talent Search 8.16.24

Three More Acts Advance in the Bill Riley Talent Search at Iowa State Fair

Three talented Senior division acts (ages 13-21) have advanced to the Championship round in Bill Riley’s 64th annual Iowa State Fair Talent Search. Each act will perform again on Sunday, August 18. Three Sprout acts were crowned champions.

Seniors

The names, ages, hometowns and routines are:

Peyton Tiemeyer, 15, Earlham; Charli Harkins, 18, Van Meter; Ash Van Ness, 18, Earlham; Malia Fuller, 17, Dexter; NiAyla Johnson, 12, Dexter; Tap/Clog Dance Quintet

Sage Minnihan, 18, Onawa, Musical Theater Vocal Solo

Megan Wheelock, 20, Waterloo, Musical Theater Vocal Solo

Sprout Champions

Faith Eugenia Scott, 8, Johnston, Piano Solo

Micah Rusch, 10, Cedar Falls, Stand-up Comedy

Ben Shuput, 12, Des Moines, Hip Hop Solo

The Bill Riley Talent Search has put Iowa’s young talent on stages across the state each summer since 1960. 67 local qualifying competitions were held across the state and winners advance to the State Fair competition, where there are seven days of preliminary competition for Sprouts (ages 2-12) and Seniors (ages 13-21), followed by the semi-finals and, ultimately, the selection of one Senior Champion. The Sprouts do not compete beyond the semi-finals, but perform in the Championship Show as Sprout Champions set for Sunday, August 18 at 1:30 p.m. on the Anne and Bill Riley Stage sponsored by Pepsi and media sponsor iHeart Radio.

More than $20,000 will be awarded to the Senior and Sprout divisions combined.