Jocelyn Berges advances to semifinals of Bill Riley Talent Search at Iowa State Fair

Friday, August 8, Jocelyn Berges of Waukon was one of four Sprout division acts (ages 2-12) to advance to the semi-final round in Bill Riley’s 65th annual Iowa State Fair Talent Search in Des Moines. Berges is the 10-year-old daughter of Cameron and Sara Berges of Waukon, and she advanced to that next round of competition with her vocal solo.

Each act will perform again either this Thursday, Friday or Saturday, August 14, 15 or 16 in that semifinal round. The Sprouts do not compete beyond the semifinal round of competition, but, if chosen from that semifinal round, they do perform as Sprout Champions in the Championship Show, which is set for this Sunday, August 17 at 1:30 p.m. on the Riley Stage.

The Bill Riley Talent Search has put Iowa’s young talent on stages across the state each summer since 1960. Nearly 100 local qualifying competitions, including the Allamakee County Fair, are held across the state and winners advance to the State Fair competition, where there are seven days of preliminary competition for Sprouts and Seniors (ages 13-21), followed by the semifinals and, ultimately, the selection of one Senior Champion.