Focus on talent in new competition

LaSalle Strawberry Festival is replacing the Miss LaSalle pageant with the Rise 2 Fame youth and junior talent competition.

The Rise 2 Fame competition provides non-professional youth, ages six to 21, a chance to perform their art on a local stage.

“On occasion people questioned why we didn’t offer something for boys and girls of all ages,” Crystal Meloche, co-chairperson of the LaSalle Strawberry Festival. The Rise 2 Fame competition is already proving more popular, after the festival had struggled to attract contestants for the pageant each year. “We certainly hope that the contest is successful and we look forward to seeing all of the wonderful talent in Windsor/Essex County.”

With 18 opening competitions held during the summer in communities from Essex to Hamilton with additional stops in between, the winners of those regional competitions move forward to the finals in September. The final competition takes place at the annual Western Fair in London, Ont. for a chance to win $1,500.

Rachel Fitzgerald, Miss LaSalle 2016, said she thinks the town of LaSalle will certainly miss having a pageant but adds the talent competition offers something different.

“As Miss LaSalle 2016, I feel sad that I will not be able to pass the crown on to another queen,” said Fitzgerald. “I think that having the Rise 2 Fame competition is a great alternative to not having a pageant, as local youth still get to go on stage, make the town proud and have the chance of winning an amazing prize and the opportunities that come with it.”

The Rise 2 Fame competition showcases all forms of art such as singing, dancing and playing musical instruments.

Chelsea Lefler, first runner up Miss LaSalle 2015 and dancer said she was upset when she heard the news but was eager for the chance to be on the stage again.

“I wanted to join it because I’m always looking for something new and exciting to do and I love performing,” said Lefler.

The opening competition for the Windsor-Essex area will take place on Thursday, June 8 at the LaSalle Strawberry Festival.