A group of Berks and Lancaster County teenage musicians picked up the grand prize at the 2015 Pennsylvania Farm Show Talent Competition on Sunday, Jan. 11 at the Pennsylvania Farm Show.
The Mountain Folk Youth Bluegrass Jam Group lead banjo play Conlan Kerscher from Adamstown, Lancaster County is no stranger to competition, having won the last year’s competition.
Kersher said working with the new group was a great experience. “We’ve been preparing for Farm Show for three months and we’ve only been playing together as a group for four,” said Kerscher.”It goes to show that hard work pays off.”
Agriculture Secretary George Greig said that he would have a hard time choosing a winner in the competition.
“It’s a very tough job to judge these talented youth,” said Greig. “This competition really proves that Pennsylvania Farm Show youth surely do have talent.”
The 2015 Farm Show Talent Show Competition were Mrs. Christine Greig, Ms. Senior Pennsylvania, Vicki Rogers, HOT 93.5 FM radio personality Venetia Stephenson and St. Margaret Mary music teacher Nathaniel Miscannon of Harrisburg.
Results: Vocal Junior (Ages 9-12) Division:
1st – Rebecca Barley, Millersville, Lancaster Co.
Vocal Intermediate (Ages 12-15) Division:
1st – Mikayla Shirley, Etters, York Co.
2nd – Evangeline Nicolette, Chester Springs, Chester Co.
3rd – Kenzie McCarther, Reedsville, Mifflin Co.
4th – Abby Traxler, Lewistown, Mifflin Co.
Vocal Senior (Ages 16-19) Division:
1st – Elly Cooke, Gettysburg, Adams Co.
2nd – Brittney and Caleb Wenger, Jonestown, Lebanon Co.
Instrumental Junior (Ages 9-12) Division:
1st – Jerlyn Horst, banjo, Mohnton, Lancaster Co.
Instrumental Intermediate (Ages 12-15) Division:
1st – Colan Kerschner (banjo) of Adamstown, Colton Gotwals (fiddle) of Oley, Kenneth Barley (banjo) of Millersville, Tyler Hertzog (guitar) of Adamstown, William Gow (bass fiddle) of Kutztown; Berks and Lancaster Co.
2nd – Chase Petro, violin, Catawissa, Columbia Co.
3rd – Hannah Scannell, flute, Lebanon, Lebanon Co.
The Pennsylvania Farm Show is the largest indoor agricultural event in the nation, featuring nearly 6,000 animals, 10,000 competitive exhibits and 300 commercial exhibitors. The show runs Jan. 10-17 at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center in Harrisburg. Visit www.farmshow.state.pa. us for details.
