by Nathan Boddy
Residents of Hamilton will get a front row seat to local talent on Friday, September 30th at the new bandshell at Sapphire Lutheran Homes, 501 N. 10th Street. Mayor Dominic Farrenkopf, activities director at Sapphire Lutheran Homes, encourages people to come down and enjoy a beautiful fall evening, which has the benefit of raising money for a good cause.
Hamilton’s Got Talent has been the special project of area teen Josie Wolfe for the past three years, and this year it will be raising money for the Play Like Robert Foundation. The two previous talent shows raised money for the Linda Massa Youth Home as well as the Council on Aging. The event raises the money through concessions and the voting process, which will determine the top three talents of the show. Audience members will be encouraged to place money (or tickets which can be purchased at the event) into an envelope in the name of their favorite performer(s). The top three will be given tickets to the Field of Screams, while the money will go to the Foundation. Wolfe chose the Foundation specifically this year, because, “it’s a great cause that everyone can benefit from in some way and I love that. The Leonardi family are truly the sweetest people and they make me want to help.”
Farrenkopf says that he enjoys putting on the event because, “it feels really good to have the ability to put people in that place that they can share their talent.” He also points out that the show is not just a fun way for people to utilize the ample stage on the Sapphire grounds, but that the raising of funds for an important local organization is a huge bonus. “We’re feeding two birds with one loaf here: raising money and showcasing talent. It’s going to be a lot of fun!”
Farrenkopf and Wolfe will serve as emcees at the show, but Wolfe has already been assembling the talent, lining up sponsors and hanging posters for the event. Farrenkopf says that Wolfe has been involved with Sapphire Lutheran Homes since she was in second grade, but as a teenager now has the ability to make an even greater contribution.
“I like to put as much effort as I do into these things because it makes me happy to be doing things for other people,” says Wolfe. “I love being able to give back to the community in big or little ways.”
Farrenkopf has nothing but praise for Wolfe, saying, “It’s really neat to see a teenager being so interested in the community. She’s spent a lot of her spare time to put together this talent show.”
The free show will include 17 acts which vary from gymnast and comedy to music and magic, and will get underway at 6:00. Audience members are encouraged to bring a lawn chair and be ready to enjoy the show and the music of Billy Angus before and during the tally of the votes.
“We have a big variety of acts that I’m so excited to see and I love to see the talent the valley has to offer,” says Wolfe. “It will definitely be an exciting event that you don’t want to miss!”