For twenty years Vinton’s Party in the Park has featured the area’s most talented performers in fifteen-minute and half-hour segments on the Riverside Band Shell stage.  This year, in order to showcase the greatest possible number of performers, organizers decided to try something new.

Riverside’s Got Talent, Jr. and Riverside’s Got Talent will take place at noon and 2 p.m. respectively, on Saturday, June 25.  As of this article, 10 junior acts, those kids age thirteen and under, have signed up to strut their stuff on stage, including Samuel Schmidt, Gabriel Schmidt, Valerie and Michelle Cox, Hannah Haisman, Kate Hyland, Samantha Walton, Two Beautiful Dudes, Katie and Kayla Barnes, Dylan and Caleb Jones, and Max Vazquez  performing with Raeganne Neilson.

Featured junior talent includes singing, dancing, comedy, acrobatics and more!

Riverside’s Got Talent is for those performers aged fourteen and older. Acts include Wes Lyons, Harmonious Hunks, Emma Clingman, Willow Huber, Legally Blonde, VSBB Cheer, Beautiful Dudes, Maddie Springer, Liz Moen, Alex Springer, and Dr. James Huber.

Everything from barbershop melodies to hip hop to Broadway song and dance, with more amazing acrobatics, will be showcased in the 2 p.m. talent show.  Prizes of $100, $50 and $25 will be awarded in both the junior and senior categories.  Winners of both categories will perform during Tonic Sol Fa’s break Saturday night.

Also performing on Saturday are the Joan Cooling Dancers, Vinton-Shellsburg Middle School Jazz Band, and Disney Generation, featuring favorite songs from well-loved animated movies.

At 3 p.m. Are You Stronger Than a Fifth Grader Tug o’ War happens, when the 2011-2012 fifth grade class takes on Kettlebell Advantage, Vinton Kiwanis Club, VPRD Lifeguards, and the Vinton Fire Department.  Winners of the contest get a Free private showing at the Palace Theatre worth almost $600!

Tug o’ War teams are made up of three men and three women, with the exception of the fifth grade team.  ALL fifth graders are welcome and encouraged to join!

Contestants may still sign up for both the talent show and the tug o’ war contest by calling Marcy Horst (319/472-5518) or Lu Karr (319/472-3130).

Bring your lawn chairs and spread your blankets for an enjoyable, entertaining afternoon at Riverside Park!