Revived Three-County Fair youth talent show a hit
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NORTHAMPTON - For about 18 years, longtime music teacher Martha Cycz organized a youth talent show at the Three-County Fair, from the late '70s to the mid-'90s.
When it stopped, it seemed to Cycz that something vital was missing. So five years ago, she stepped forward to revive the show, and it has been, she says, a smash hit.
"I do have a following - people come back to see the talent show every year," said Cycz. "Let's face it, we are in a valley of artists, so I think it should be part of the fair."
For Cycz, 59, who retired last year after a 46-year career as a music teacher, the work comes naturally.
"This is something I've always done," she said. "It's kind of in my blood, performing and teaching."
For the young performers, she believes the show provides a challenge, a creative outlet, and a place to shine.
"The kids love the experience of sharing their talents with people," said.
And for the fair, the show is part of its goal to offer attractions that appeal to a variety of age groups.
"I just like the pleasure of providing more artful activities at the fair because the fair is really trying to promote family and things that a whole family can go to together," said Cycz.
The Three-County Fair starts Friday, and runs daily through Labor Day, offering an eclectic lineup of music, agricultural features, games and rides, and, of course, a variety of fair food. Watch the Gazette for a daily schedule of events.
Youth talent
In past years, youth talent show acts have included dancers, fiddlers, rock bands, violin duets, keyboardists, baton twirlers, a karate act set to music, and, of course, singers.
In fact, Cycz said that since her last stint organizing the show in the '70s and '80s, she has noticed a definite increase in the number of singers trying out, a trend she attributes to the growing popularity of shows like "American Idol" and "America's Got Talent."
"Now it seems like everybody wants to be a singer," she said.
Auditions for the talent show are planned for Saturday at 2:30 p.m. in the fair's music tent, and the public is welcome to watch. "It's always cool to see what's coming," said Cycz.
At the audition, a panel of judges selects the acts that will perform at the fair on Monday at 2:30 p.m., also in the music tent. Generally auditions draw between 20 and 40 acts, from which the judges select 16 to 18 acts for the final show.
Cycz, who most recently taught in schools in Conway and Williamsburg, said she is still working on assembling the team of judges, who are likely to be a group of music teachers.
"I have a panel of judges who give points to each act regarding talent, how well they perform their act, and, kind of, enthusiasm," she said. Cycz said acts with the highest point totals from the judges are selected to go on to the final show.
The judges' final choices also seek to provide the final show with a good variety of acts with different age groups represented.
"One year we had a 3-year-old who stole the hearts of everyone," she said.
Winners of past contests are invited back to perform during the intermission held while the judges tally the scores to determine the winners of the show Monday, she said.
Auditions for the talent show are open to all area youth, divided into two age groups: the junior division includes children up to age 12 and a senior division is for youth from age 13 to 18. Trophies and prizes will be awarded for each age division.
For more information, contact Cycz at 247-5541.
- LAURIE LOISEL
