STEUBENVILLE – The Valley’s Got Talent competition is back and will be better than ever this year, according to organizer Bobbyjon Bauman, who said $1,250 in prize money will be awarded at the event set for Nov. 6 in Steubenville High School’s auditorium, beginning at 6 p.m.

Youth interested in competing can go to www.sycamorecenter.com/vgt to register to tryout and for information.

“We have had more than 1,000 people in attendance at this event in the past, and we expect a large crowd again this year,” Bauman noted. Past VGT winner Ashley Marina, who was on “America’s Got Talent,” will be performing a couple of songs at the event as will a few of other former VGT winners.

“We have had between 450 and 1,000 people attend the Valley’s Got Talent competition the last seven years, and this year we expect the competition to be off the charts,” he added.

Live open tryouts will be held at the following locations, dates and times: Catholic Central High School, Oct. 24, 2:45 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.; Steubenville High School, Oct. 25, 2:45 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.; Indian Creek Middle School, Oct. 26; Harding Middle School, Oct. 28; and Sycamore Youth Center, Oct. 29, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Contestants must live within 35 miles of Steubenville and be between ages 13 to 23. Bands, choirs and soloists can have people over age 23 accompanying or backing the vocalists and musicians but only the vocalists and musicians ages 13-23 will be judged in the competition.

Categories are: Bands, vocal groups, choirs; dance; vocal soloists; miscellaneous (non-vocal) talent (poets, instrumentalists, etc.); and dance groups.

Songs must have inspirational/Christian content. Since this is a competition sponsored by the Ohio Valley Youth Network which has the goal of uplifting the hearts and minds of our youth as they use their gifts to reflect God’s creative gifts in their lives, we ask that you please submit the lyrics to your song along with your entry. The screening committee is composed of Ohio Valley Youth Network members who will have the final say on what is appropriate for the competition.

“Those who cannot make it to the online tryouts — we highly recommend you do so — are free to submit an online audition,” Bauman explained. Songs must be submitted by YouTube, an e-mail link or a video link that can be accessed on the Internet by Oct. 30 at 11:59 p.m. The songs/performance must be five minutes or less.

Contestants/acts chosen to perform will be informed on or before Oct. 31 at 11:59 p.m. by text or e-mail. Typically, only 20 acts total (typically five per category) will be chosen to perform.

The event will be carried on Facebook “Live” as well as on Comcast Cable TV on the Steubenville City Schools Channel 15 on tape delay.

Online entries are to be submitted by e-mail to bobbyjonbauman@gmail.com

Judging criteria includes spiritual/inspirational effectiveness; vocal/instrumental excellence; and presentation (ability to engage/connect with the audience.) Prizes are: Grand prize winner, best overall regardless of category, $500; first place in each category, $100; and second place in each category, $25.

Questions can be directed to Bauman at (740) 409-2986.