VALPARAISO | According to cable television, "America's Got Talent."
Valparaiso is a part of America, so the city's parks department is hoping "Valpo's Got Talent."
To find out, the department will hold a variety act competition at 6 p.m. April 27 at the Butterfield Family Pavilion at Fairgrounds Park. The competition is open to people of all ages and talents, whether you can sing, dance, do magic tricks, juggle, play an instrument, do something artistic or have an animal act.
All that's required is that acts be family-oriented. Each will be subject to screening before the event.
No amplified sound equipment will be allowed, although an exception might be made for a karaoke machine, said Kelly Deal, guest relations and marketing coordinator for the parks.
"Valpo has got so much talent, and we are trying to encourage people to showcase it," Deal said. "We want to give people an outlet to feature their talent that they otherwise couldn't. For instance, the average individual doesn't participate in choir, but they might be a talented musician and can use this to showcase that."
Prizes for the contest are still being worked out, but one of the rewards for being a top talent will be a performance contract, just like on the big-time talent shows. With one exception: The contract doesn't provide any money.
Instead, winners will be asked to provide live entertainment in the parks over the summer.
"The competition is a one-time thing, but we are hoping to expand it so (people) can show their talents all summer long to entertain people in the parks" Deal said. "We will start at Rogers Lakewood Park. They will be in a key area so people will not be able to miss them, but it will not be like they are in your face.
"So, you can enjoy the park without having the performers coming over to you, but you can enjoy them if you want to."
Initially, the performers will be at the park on the weekends, but, Deal said, the department hopes to have enough people to offer entertainment during the week and at the other parks as well.
The deadline for registering is April 20, and a registration form can be picked up at the parks office at Foundation Meadows Park on Campbell Street. Deal said the form also will be online soon at www.valparaisoparks.org. There's no entry fee, and the public can attend free the competition.
Several winners will be chosen from the competition, but anyone interested in performing in the parks over the summer should contact the department at (219) 462-5144.
Who knows, you could be the next Valparaiso Parks "Idol."
