There are people that travel the country to perform in these contests in hopes of breaking through to a singing career. What is intended to be a local competition (I am assuming) will be dominated by semi-professionals from around the country if some local requirements are not enforced in the future.

Hey why not headline Heatwave the 4-H showchoir! They're great and showcase more youth than the Star contest did. They should be on the Main Stage along with the Showcase Singers, the state 4-H showchoir,that has a quite a few of the Heatwave members in it.......
As for the Star contestants I see a future of Kareoke(sp) Bars.

Thanks smartypants, and congrats on your daughters previous win!! I'm sure it was well deserved! Nothing is perfect for everyone, so these narrow minded complainers need to get a life. What does singing have to do with an ag fair, well what do rides have to do with an ag fair then? Why have any grandstand musical entertainment at all because they have nothing to do with ag - OH, right... it brings in crowds. I think some of these people need to change their user names to clueless or havenolife!

Jvldude- lets meet up for guitar hero

IMC, I Couldn't agree with you more!! And congrats on your family member that won!! I don't know which one she was, but all 3 of the winners were extremely talented singers. My daughter won it as well in the past. We have attended the star contest every year since it started and always have a large group of people as well. We buy lots of food and drinks, go on rides, and look at the animals and the awards that were given to them as well. My family and I also visit the Craig center to see all the other projects 4-hrs have spent so much time and effort on. The Star contest is a big part of the fair week for us, but only one night. The rest of the week is for all the other entertainment/displays there for all ages. Some people are just so negative and "opinionated." They have to let everyone know how much they "hate" something, or how stupid they think it is. If you check the online gazette often, you will see that most of these negative individuals comment on almost every article posted. They really need to find something more constructive to do. Maybe they can take vocal lessons and be in the STAR contest next year?!!!! Ha!!

the 4h fair is about the fair and the project and the people who worked hard to prepare for his event. NOT SOME WANNA BE AI SINGERS. Why is this so hard to understand. Why not write about the "other" people in the fair. The real reason why the wanna be singers have place to play American idol. They should stay at home and play rock band

Ok, so obviously there wouldn't be a fair without the 4H members and all there hard work and yes, they deserve more coverage than what they received. However, those of you complaining about the "Star" competition, I can guarantee you'd be right up there in the front row cheering on a friend or family member of yours, if they had the talent and/or the nerve to get up there and sing in front of all those people. And speaking of all those people, I know for certain a lot of them showed up specifically for the "Star" competition. At $8 a person and the 30 or more people that showed up with me and my family to see the "Star" competition, they made $240 on enterance fees alone wednesday night, not to mention food, drinks and rides, which wouldn't have been spent had it not been for the contest. And... then you have another $240, food, drinks, etc. that we went back and spent thursday since our girl won and sung again. So, all you complainers take a look at the whole picture on what brings all different people to the fair, it's not just the animals and the projects. Also, for those of you who may complain further, saying I know nothing about what the fair is about, since I was only there for the competition, think again, I AM a Former 4H member.

the 4-H/FFA members are the REAL stars of the Rock 4-H Fair!!!

smartypants, if it wasn't for the hard work and TALENT of the 4-H/FFA members there wouldn't be NO 4-H fair!
These wonderful kids have put so much time and effort to make their projects so there would be a fair! The fair is a place where these kids can show off their TALENTS!!!
ynot5462, I couldn't agree more! In prior years the gazette always had a write up about the king, the queen, and the COURT OF HONOR. I was disappointed that the court was not included in the write up they had about the king and queen.
Not just the Court of Honor, but any
4-H/FFA member who have worked all year to make the fair another success!!
I think people need to know how much these work hard and see their TALENTS!!!

opinionsforidiots...oh sorry I mean opinionsforfree: K.M.A!!!! Also, learn how to spell.

Last night there was a awards ceremony for the exhibitors in diffrent projects ex; gardening, crops, flowers, visual arts mech. science and the list goes on. The Gazette never even showed up to take pictures or any thing. These exhibitors work really hard on there projects and deserve the reconition. Photography is the largest exhibit at the fair and is truely wonderful. One of the mech. science exhibitor took home 5 awards. There were first year exhibitors that got there very first trophy. there was a young lady who took 23 entries in the flower dept. Shouldn't these kids get there 15 min. of fame too........... Thanks Al and Nancy for starting this awards program. every year it gets larger

As a long time participant in the Rock County
4-H I was upset that the Star Contest received more coverage than the 4-H Royalty. The King
and Queen and the Court of Honor are wonderful
young people that call Rock County home. I know these young people have put hours and hours into the 4-H/FFA program in community service projects on the local and county level, in leadership projects, not to say the hours they put into their projects. And shame on the Janesville Gazette. Janesville is the home of 2008 4-H who represented Badger 4-H and a girl on court who represented Parker FFA. Give these young fine young people the same coverage as you gave the Stars.

Lets hope nobody sings next year.

Smartypants: most people have a enough common sence to not make fools of themselfs. You are one of these people I was talking about that like this type of mindless programming. You better get off you computer and get back to your TV you might miss one of your "shows"

The talent was excellent!!!! However was there any rules for those who have been paid for previous performances i.e. the Armory or the Fireside. I know that some of these singers have performed at both of these restaurants. How can Mr. Tropp be a non-partial judge. Maybe the radio show host should be the judges. It seems that once you start getting instructors from schools and public venues there is some question as to how impartial they really are. We have alot of talent right here in rock county and WI why let others from others states perform. Maybe someone from Texas will sing for us next year.

All of you with your negative comments about the STAR contest need to get a life. You are just jealous!! You all probably wish you had half the talent and guts past and present performers have. Also, the fair is not only all about animals for those of you who are wondering what singing has to do with an ag fair. Get over wondering where the money for the prizes come from. Don't you all have anything better to do? Go clean up some pig poop or something!! The fair is a family community event, not just an animal judging contest! Stop being so narrow minded and keep your negative opinions to yourself! Misery loves company!

I would say no. Like opinions said it sounds like a marketing ploy to get people in who like American idol or that type of mindless programming . they probably should have a " do you think you can dance show too"

I don't go to the fair, but is the star contest really hurting you people? They are little kids and some young adults just trying to show case their talent like all the other 4H kids!

Maybe they use the singers to put the cows amd pigs to sleep at night

What do singers have to do with an Ag fair?
Why are they taking prize money from the Ag portion of the event?

The "Rock County Star" contest shouldn't even take place. But I suppose the same people who watch American idol and think that it is wonderful programming are the hardcore fair goers. So I can see the marketing value

From what I've seen in the previous years winners, they wouldn't even make it in front of the cameras on American Idol. And I agree, someone from Rockford should not be able to compete in a "Rock County Star" contest.

Sure, I get it,you memorized the darn thing.Right. And I do really appreciate the whole protect and serve thing,but could he do it in a decent pair of shorts? YUCK!!

Truth, if you want to place blame, at least place it on the right person. That would be the grumpy old homeowner who refuses to let anybody park near their property, one week a year. That's who calls the police and demands action be taken.
To protect and Serve....

Lieutenant James (Jim) Ron Dangle.

This is just as dumb as American Idol. Yuck!!

Why would we give the rock county star to a rockford native.... That seems as lame as her performance... Next year how about musicians and no singers...

Yes, truthbtold, I knew that. You must also be at least 4 feet from a mailbox. In years' past, the JPD has issued numerous warnings before the fair that they would be writing parking tickets - and a lot of them. I'm not sure if they gave out the same verbal warnings ahead of the fair or not this year, but anyone with a license to drive should know the rules and abide by them.

My daughter is in 4-H for horse and ponies,they have no way for them to showcase their animals. Can we get rid of the lambs or something? Maybe switch it out yearly? I mean come on,kids would like to see a pony before a rooster any day.

Also,what is with the cop riding around on his bicycle in his bad Reno 911 short shorts anyway? He must have written at least a hundred parking violations on Tuesday. Did you know you must be over 12 inches away from a curb? Or, over four feet from a driveway? So, even if it looks like a small compact can still get in there,forget it,he'll get ya! Bring your tape measure.

Is it really the purpose of the fair to blow everyone else away? Is it really a "mine is bigger than yours" enterprise? There are always more losers than winners with those priorities.

The Dane County fair is the worst in the state, by far. And that is really sad, considering the facilitites they have and being the state capitol and all.
*
Walworth is among the best, as is Marathon, but Winnebago blows them all away.

The Walworth County Fair Idol contest is not only for Walworth County Residents. There are people signed up from up north, illinois and even from ROCK County.

Good luck to all the contestants!

My comment on the Fair itself?
To me, if there is no beer tent, and no good music acts, then there will be no crowd. If it wasn't for the farmers and volunteers, the Rock County Fair would be belly up. They obviously can't afford a good alternative music act than country. Which is no. 1 to me next to gate prices being way too much. Rock County Fair is still in the "F" categories for grades. Not good, not good at all. Rather go to Dane County, Walworth County, etc.

I agree. The Walworth Fair only allows Walworth County Residents, so the Rock County Fair should only include Rock County Residents. As for the Liquor comment that was out of line. Not a very good example for kids.

I agree they should be from Rock County or From Wisconsin anyway. No offence. The comment to the audience from Ms.Hobson about liquor was just to weird. Congrats to all the winners and have a blast tonight.

No offence to Ms. Hobson's performance but shouldn't the "Rock County 4-H Star Idol" be from Rock County???

Does this prize money come from the 4-H Fair Board or WJVL? I am disappointed in Ms. Hobson's comment to the audience in "having some liqour this morning - er, this evening..." This is a family event and better discretion should be used when you're competing for $1,000 prize. Anyway, thanks to whoever sponsors this contest - it's always a lot of fun. Good luck to the girls auditioning for American Idol!!!!