Eligibility

The contest is open to non-professional residents of Ontario only (see the definition below). An individual cannot be part of an act at the Western Fair if he or she did not appear in the act at a Preliminary Contest.

• An act may NOT run MORE THAN 4 MINUTES.
• A VOCAL ACT may not use BACKGROUND VOCALS OF ANY KIND.
• A DANCE ACT may not use BACKGROUND TAPS OR TAP EFFECTS.
   

Youth Talent Search

Youth Talent Contestants must be between the age of 13 and 21 years. Each member of an act, whether performing as a soloist or as a member of a group, must be at least 13 years old and must not have reached his/her 22nd birthday by the opening day of the current year's Western Fair. Proof of age may be requested. The average age of group members is not considered.

A member of an act which has performed at the Canadian Association of Fairs & Exhibitions National Talent Awards Competition may not compete again in the Youth Talent Search, in any category.

N.B.A contestant must not have participated in any other program leading to the current year's C.A.F.E. National Talent Awards Competition including the Canadian National Exhibition "Rising Star" Contest.

Junior Talent Search

Junior Talent Contestants must be between the age of 6 and 12 years. Each member of an act must be at least 6 years old and must not have reached his/her 13th birthday by the opening day of the current year's Western Fair. Proof of age may be requested. The average age of group members is not considered.

A member of an act which was the Overall Winner of the Junior Talent Search Final Competition at the Western Fair may not compete in the same category in the Junior Talent Search in the next succeeding year. (Solo and group performances are considered to be in different categories). The Overall Winner of the Junior Talent Search Competition may compete in any following year in the Youth Talent Search providing he/she/they meet age and amateur status eligibility requirements.

Professional Entertainer Definition

For the purposes of this contest, a professional entertainer is:

1. One who earns more than one-half of his or her normal living expenses by performing in any of the categories of competition (i.e. a professional dancer may not compete in the contest as a singer, musician, etc.), o
2. One who is a union member, or
3. One who has a professional agent or manager who is or will be paid a fee for securing employment in the entertainment field, or
4. One who sings or otherwise performs on any record released for commercial distribution through normal retail outlets. (This does not prohibit an entertainer from self-producing a record for sale or distribution to friends and associates or performing on a self-produced recording of a school or church choir group for charitable fundraising purposes).