Variety adds spice to Lip Sync
Jenn Brookens — Sentinel Staff WriterArticle Photos
FAIRMONT - This Sunday, five Fairmont girls who graduated this spring will have their final on-stage hurrah together, along with several other lip sync acts all aimed at raising funds for the Salvation Army.
In its 21st year, the annual Salvation Army lip sync contest contains more than one act by performers who have grown up with the lip sync contest.
Ashley Larson, Whitney Carlson, Dana Draper, Sam Waletich and Kendra Benson will perform one of their favorites growing up: "Spice Up Your Life," by the Spice Girls.
"We just always did the Spice Girl songs," Carlson said. "We got involved with this lip sync a few years ago, and this is probably the last time we'll all get to be together like this, so we decided to do Spice Girls again."
Along with the Spice Girls, performances this year will include pieces from "Beauty and the Beast," country group Diamond Rio, and even a spoken-piece lip sync.
"There is a Bill Cosby routine that a girl in Iowa is doing," said Helen Gould, who helps organize the event. "She's actually performed this and won some awards with it, so we look forward to having her perform."
There will also be some performances concentrating more on dancing, with routines from Borchardt Dance Studio and a belly-dancing troupe.
"We're trying to attract a younger crowd, show that younger people can become involved and help the community at the same time," Larson said.
Getting more people involved in the Lip Sync contest - both onstage and behind the scenes - is an important issue. There are some rumblings that this could be the final year for the Lip Sync event.
"We're not sure," Gould admits. "It depends on what people come forward, but we do need some new people to get involved. At this point, we have not set a date for next year."
But for this year, the Lip Sync will be held in its regular spot at the Sylvania Park bandshell, or at the St. John Vianney gym in case of rain.
"In only three of the 20 years we've had so far, have we needed to use the gym," Gould said. "But we really like to have it out here in the park, even if it is a hot night."
There is no charge to attend the event, but performers will be collecting donations following each performance. All money raised goes toward the Salvation Army.
Performers will be awarded on best lip sync, best choreography, best audience appeal and most money raised.
Food vendors will start operating at 4:30 p.m. with the show starting at 6 p.m.
Businesses and individuals who have made financial donations will be recognized with posted signs in the park during the event.
