CHESTERTOWN — The second edition of Kent’s Got Talent, a United Way of Kent County fundraiser that includes dinner prepared by celebrity chef Robbie Jester and features 11 local performers, will be held Saturday, March 29 at the Garfield Center for the Arts at the Prince Theatre.
Doors open at 6 p.m., dinner will be served at 6:45 p.m. and the show will start at 7 p.m.
The Garfield Center for the Arts is located at 210 High St. in downtown Chestertown.
Jim Landskroener will serve as emcee.
The finalists are Cece Bagshaw, Quan Butler, Ashley Chapa, Justinian Dispenza of Lewisson Clarke, Meygan Hastings, Carly Mourlas, Nicholas Ray, Clair Smith, Kiara Vos, Grace Walton and Jay Yerkes.
The Judge’s Choice Trophy winner will be determined by the panel of Terwana Brown, Chris Neiman and Melissa McGlynn.
The People’s Choice Award will be presented to the contestant with the most online votes.
Voting ($1 per vote) can be done at www.kentcountysgottalent.com.
The inaugural event in November 2023 exceeded expectations, according to Amanda Nelson Parks, president of the UWKC board of directors.
“We are excited again to be able to see and judge such a variety of talent and enjoy a special locally sourced meal,” she said.
Two types of tickets are available for purchase.
A dinner ticket ($150 plus service fee) includes a gourmet meal prepared by local celebrity chef Robbie Jester, using local vendors BSA Seafood, Lockbriar Farms, Lands End Farm, Crow Vineyard, Eve’s Cheese, King Mushrooms, Modern Stone Age Kitchen, Orchard Point Oyster Company and Red Acres Hydroponics. Dinner also includes a complimentary glass of wine from Crow Vineyards.
A balcony ticket ($35 plus service fee) is for the show only.
Snacks will be available, including ice cream from Lockbriar and Daughter.
Tickets can be purchased online at www.kentcountysgottalent.com.
Platinum-level sponsors to date are Cat Colloquium, Chesapeake Bank & Trust, Watershed Alley, The Retriever, Stam’s Luncheonette and White Swan Tavern.
Gold-level sponsors include Complete Rolloff Services, Rosin Creek Collaborative, Osprey Capital Management, The Peoples Bank, Chesapeake Investment Advisors, The Dixon Group, Gillespie & Son, Harborview Farms, Kristina Hyland @ Coldwell Banker, Liz Moore, Park Row Floats, Talkie Communications and Wye Financial Partners.
Silver-level sponsors include ACTS Heron Point, Chestertown Wellness Collective, Eastern Shore Financial, Fit Flock, Lori Pinder, Slack Tide, ShinePro, Cross Street Realtors and Touch of Wellness Massage.
Bronze-level sponsors include Choptank Electric Cooperative, Deep Landing Workshop, Eastern Shore Interiors, Glowing Hive Collaborative, Hogans’ Insurance, SmarTech Electric, Riley’s Mill Ale Works, Liddy Campbell @ Sotheby’s, Twigs and Teacups and Wrench and Socket.
In-kind sponsors include the above food and beverage providers as well as The Chestertown Spy, Ivingo Creative, Jenn Quinn Creative, Jessica Anthony Photography and Tidewater Trader.
Additional sponsors are welcome and will be prominently recognized. See https://www.kentcountysgottalent.com/sponsorship/.
According to a news release, the United Way of Kent County strives to benefit our community by building partnerships and bringing together diverse stakeholders from 23 agencies to focus on three impact areas: health, education and financial stability.
The program began in 1957 with a goal of $45,000 and six member agencies.
The goal for this year’s fundraising campaign is $280,000.
Donations may be made at any time via the website unitedwayofkentcounty.org or by mail to United Way of Kent County, P.O. Box 594, Chestertown, MD 21620.