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| After one week's delay, Franklin's popular Taste of Talent vocal competition kicked off last night in Bandstand Park with a large crowd. 670 votes were cast. "Good kick off for Taste of Talent," said event organizer Pat Dolecki. Last week, dangerous air quality from the Canada wildfires, caused event officials to think more about the contestant's vocal chords and the audience safety than putting on a show in the park. On Wednesday, 12 constants began vying for the month-long elimination championship. One was eliminated by crowd vote, the least favorite part of the event for event organizers. Prior to the performances, Randy Moorehead and judges Rachael Mellor and Tammi Dahl gave tear laden praises and remembrances for Ronnie Beith, who began this competition over 14 years ago. Beith passed away earlier this year. "She was our musical mom," said Mellor. "We love you Ronnie." She was mentioned many times during the evening.. Dahl said that this event was a favorite of Beith's and that she was very much missed. The warm summer night was even credited to Beith. "Ronnie is shining down on us," Mellor added. There was a slight change to the original lineup announced late last month. Reji Exley of Oil City returned to the competition to replace Tabatha Pelletier of Enola, who had to drop out due to the travel distance, according to Dolecki. Wednesday's performances started with returning competitors Tim Craver of Franklin and Ruth Herrick of Greenville. They were followed by newbie Lauren Clarke George of Lucinda, then returnees Alexander Karg of Pittsburgh, Lindsey Crabtree of Oil City and Iris Callahan of Vowinkel. Then there was a string of first-timers - Jessica Gahr of Utica, Jacob Kunselman of Ridgeway, Lexie Gilson of Mifflintown (who traveled three hours to compete), Mathew Myers of Oil City, Alexis Jack of Franklin. While volunteers sorted and counted the votes, former winner Joey Lillard entertained the crown with a few popular cover songs. He was joined on stage by other past winners, Rachel Mellor, and Nathaniel Licht for the last song prior to the final announcements. Not returning next week is Lauren Clarke George who sang an adaptation of Neil Young's "Love is a Rose." Area singer Tammi Dahl and Mellor are this year's judge commentators, advice givers and cheerleaders of the performers. They don't cast a vote, but give insight to the crowd and singers after each performance. Former Taste champion, Randy Moorehead took over as emcee, which includes the unenviable task of announcing who is eliminated each week. Additional singing, voting and eliminations will start at 7 p.m. on July 12, 19 and 26. The semi-finals will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5. And the audience will vote on the $1,000 winner during the finals at 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 6. All the performances will be held in Bandstand Park and are free and open to the public. |         |
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