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We are on the third of our six-part series of articles about the upcoming Northborn Days event! Last week, we shared about the Northborn Birthday Party that will kick off the first day of the event, and this week, we will share more about the Northborn Talent Competition! Make sure to check back each week to learn more details about what we have in store for both days. Follow us at @northborndays on Facebook and Instagram or visit northborndays.org to stay up to date on the latest Northborn Days news!

In 2015, Warroad Community Partners, then known as Warroad Young Professionals, held the first annual Warroad Sings event in conjunction with the Fourth of July Celebration in Warroad. This local talent competition featured vocalists from Warroad, performing on a flatbed trailer down at The Point, with the winners heading to the state Minnesota Sings Competition. In the years since, six more competitions have been held annually, with 2020’s competition being held virtually. Last year, Warroad Sings was incorporated into the first-ever Northborn Days event. Now, in its eighth year, this competition will be getting an exciting facelift!

On Friday, June 10th, the Northborn Talent Competition will take place on amphitheater stage at Allison Park. In previous years, the contest rules stated that competitors must live, work, or attend school in Warroad. This year, we are expanding that to include those who reside anywhere in northwest Minnesota! We had also been limited to allowing individual performers to sing songs that were in the public domain accompanied by a prerecorded track. This year we are excited to accept multiple performers (duos, trios, ensembles, bands), and artists can choose to perform original music or accompany themselves with an instrument as well!

Similar to previous years, there are two age divisions offered: Ages 13-20 and Ages 21 and over. With the support of local business sponsors and the Warroad Chamber of Commerce, we are able to offer prizes in each division of $450 for 1st Place, $300 for 2nd Place, and $150 for 3rd Place in a mix of Warroad Chamber Bucks and cash. Serving as our celebrity guest judges will be the members of Johnny Cochran, a band straight from Nashville that will perform the following day at the Northborn Music Festival. Competitors will be judged on vocal and presentation skills, and the audience’s response to and the judges’ overall impression of their performance.

If you or someone you know would like to participate in this year’s Northborn Talent Competition, please register to compete before June 3rd, with an early bird discount offered to those who register by May 20th. If you are not a singer yourself, plan to bring a lawn chair to view the competition at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, June 10th. Following the competition, an outdoor movie that aligns perfectly with the theme of the night will be shown! To learn more about the movie, register for the competition, buy your Northborn Music Festival tickets, or see what other fun things we have in store for this event, visit northborndays.org and follow @northborndays on Facebook and Instagram!