Wanda English Burnett, Editor

Excitement is mounting as plans for the 106th Versailles Pumpkin Show are in full swing.

Completely new to the event is the first vocal talent contest (5:05-6:40 p.m.) which will take place Thursday, September 25 just before the Prince and Princess contest on stage.

If you can sing, you could get cash. That’s the bottom line from Versailles Lions Club President Jerry Gilpin, who is speerheading the talent contest. Those interested should send a CD with a picture of themselves with contact information to M&N Music, PO Box 207, Versailles, IN 47042.

Gilpin said contestants will be chosen from the entries only and are limited to a certain number. He also noted that no bands or groups would be considered, single entries only.

First place will win $300 and will open for the Friday night entertainment, which is Kelsey Abbott, followed by Tyler Dickerson, most famous for The Outlaw Kid.

Second place will take home $100 and third place will receive $50.00. The deadline to place your entry is this Saturday, September 20. Gilpin said judging will be three-fold: vocal performance, stage presence and the ability to entertain. Contestants who are chosen must have their music on CD or play an instrument. Two songs per entry are allowed.

A popular come-back this year is the dance on Saturday night from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. following the day’s festivities, which includes the famous parade that had over 200 entries last year.

The dance will be held at the Tyson Gymnasium that has recently been purchased by the Town of Versailles. It will be somewhat formal, with men asked not to wear blue-jeans, and ladies to be “dressed to impress” according to DeeDee Benkie, who is helping with that committee. Momentary Relapse Band will be providing entertainment for the dance.

The King and Queen of the 2008 Versailles Pumpkin Show will be decided on the first night, Wednesday, September 24. Contestants include:

• Southeastern Career Center: Toshua Gibson, daughter of Jimmie and Charlene Gibson of North Vernon, and Matthew Comer, son of Brian and Shari Comer of Batesville.

• Jac-Cen-Del High School: Tanaha Simon, daughter of Michael and Janice Simon of Osgood, and Blake Sutton, son of Tim and Christina Sutton and Angie and Phil Kimbrell.

• Milan High School: Randi Delap, daughter of Steve and Donna Delap of Milan, and Alex Hooker, son of Gretchen and Richard Hooker of Milan.

• South Ripley High School: Chelsea Durham, daughter of Sam and Nancy Durham of Osgood, and Thomas Welch, son of Kevin and Robin Welch of Versailles.

• South Dearborn High School: Kristin Michelle Donley, daughter of Lea Donley, Cincinnati, and Brandon Burton, son of Robin and Patricia Burton, Moores Hill.

• Switzerland County High School: Beth Abbott, daughter of Kim and Jenny Abbott, and Mark Sharp, son of Mr. and Mrs. Mark Sharp.

Just before the contest, the official opening of the event will take place at 5:00 p.m. on stage with opening ceremonies by the South Ripley Ministerial Association, followed by Safe in the Harbor, a gospel singing group and then entertainment by the Young Confederates from South Ripley High School. After the King and Queen contest, Hoosier Hills Bluegrass will provide entertainment until 9:30 p.m.

Thursday, September 25 begins with the pumpkin baking contest at the Ripley Publishing Company, located at 115 S. Washington Street, Versailles. The newspaper office will be transformed with tables of home baked goodies, all with the common ingredient, pumpkin. Everything from pumpkin soup to the traditional pumpkin pie is tested by judges with the top baker taking home a plaque and $200.
This is the 20th year for the annual baking contest that gives bakers four opportunities to win. They can enter these categories: pumpkin pies, pumpkin bread/rolls, pumpkin cakes/cake rolls, and miscellaneous pumpkin goodies. Cash prizes will be given for first, second, and third places in all categories.

Youngsters can join the fun as well and enter the kids category. The age range is 8 to 17. School classes can enter also. Cash prizes are also given in this category. The best decorated entry will receive $25.00.

The entries are accepted at the newspaper office from 8-10 a.m. with a bake sale being held at noon.
Evening stage entertainment on Thursday will include the first vocal talent contest followed by the Prince and Princess contest, sponsored by the Ripley Publishing Co., will take place on stage.
This year’s contestants include:

Sunman’s representatives are: Emma Engel, daughter of David and Mary Engel, and Adrik Herbert, son of David and Holly Herbert.

St. Louis Catholic School will be represented by Sarah Price, daughter of Robert and Angela Price, and Adam Moster, son of Sebastian and Angie Moster.

Representing Batesville Primary School are Georgeanna (Georgie) Doll, daughter of Eric and Carrie Doll, and Cory Ralston, son of Joseph and Jean Ralston.

South Ripley will be represented by Abigail (Abby) McCarty, daughter of Brian and Mary McCarty, and Garrett Rogers, son of Danita and Bryant Rogers.

Representing St. Nicholas Catholic School will be Molly Gregg, daughter of Dana Gregg and Charles Frensemeier, son of Joseph Frensemeier.

Milan Elementary representatives will be Aubrey Vogt, daughter of Josh and Misty Vogt, and Trayton Robbins, son of C.R. and Krisha Robbins.

Representatives for Jac-Cen-Del will be Bailey Riley, daughter of Ryan and Christa Riley and Colton Comer, son of Matt and Christa Comer.

All of the contestants are winners from their respective school and each will receive a trophy. Ride tickets are compliments of Luehrs Rides and all contestants are invited to ride in the parade on Saturday morning in convertibles.

A pie-eating contest will follow that same evening with contestants from each of the area schools vying for the right to say they could eat the most pumpkin pie. Those entering this delicate stage performance are: Jake Gaither and Chelsea Hooton, representing Jac-Cen-Del; Julie Hoffrogge and Quentin Hackman from Milan; Blake Richmond and Katie Polly from South Ripley. Names of the representatives for the Southeastern Career Center were not available at press time.

Participation from each school represented is encouraged. Each year the crowd gets larger as students make signs to cheer on their team as they eat pumpkin pie without utensils or even their fingers.
After the pie-eating contest, Over the Edge, a classic rock mix band, will provide stage entertainment.

Friday night the fun continues with the winner of the talent show opening the stage entertainment, which will be followed by Kelsey Abbott and then Tyler Dickerson, The Outlaw Kid, from 8-10 p.m.
The National Anthem will kick off the parade for the 106th Versailles Pumpkin Show on Saturday at 10:15 a.m. The parade will make its way through town beginning at 10:30 a.m. To get in the parade all you have to do is get in line and fill out a card explaining your entry.

After the parade, which typically lasts until a little past noon, the weighing of the gigantic pumpkins will take place at the stage at 1:00 p.m. The Versailles Volunteer Fire Department will be having their annual chicken dinner at the firehouse where children can experience the Smokehouse, a mobile unit that fills with non-toxic smoke, letting them see exactly what it would be like in a smoke filled house and learn about fire safety.

The Casinos’s, playing 50 and 60’s music, will be performing from 2:30 to 4:30, a cheerleader contest will take place at 5:00 p.m. and One Brick Shy will be entertaining at 6 p.m. on stage. But, the day’s not over yet! The Pumpkin Show Dance will take place beginning at 9:00 p.m. at the Tyson Auditorium, a come-back event that brings back memories for many.

From the kick off on Wednesday night until the early morning hours on Sunday, when the dance concludes, you’re invited to enjoy four days of fun at the 2008 Versailles Pumpkin Show, sponsored by the Versailles Lions Club. For more information on any of the events, you can contact M&N Music Productions, Inc. at 812-689-6188 or fax 812-689-1032.