The Hamilton Folk Arts Heritage Council is entering its seventh season of hosting the Ontario Youth Talent Search, Hamilton Competition, at "It's Your Festival" in beautiful historic Gage Park.

We started with 12 participants on one afternoon in 1999, and now the competition is lasting all day with upwards of 60 youth and juniors participating. Junior Talent Contestants must be between the age of 6 and 12; Youth Talent Contestants must be between ages of 13 and 21. There are several different categories in which the entrants can compete. They are: Vocal Solo, Instrumental Solo, Dance Solo, Dance Group, Vocal and/or Instrumental Group, Variety Solo and Variety Group. The purpose of this contest is to encourage, promote and recognize talent in the arts locally.

At the end of the day, there will be a minimum of 16 selections who will go on to compete in the Ontario finals at the Western Fair in London where an overall winner and two runners up will be selected. The winner will go on to compete in the National finals.

The Folk Arts would like to involve more of our youths in this competition for "It's Your Festival" 2007. This would depend however, on whether or not we can find additional sponsorship to defray some of the cost. We would be delighted to have The Hamilton Spectator on board.