St. CLAIRSVILLE – More than 40 performers will take the stage during this year’s The Arc of Ohio Presents Everyone’s Got Talent.
The inclusive community event is scheduled for Saturday from noon to 4:00 pm at the outdoor amphitheater at St. Clairsville Recreation Center, located at 102 Fair St.
The talent show is designed to raise awareness of people living with intellectual and developmental disabilities and features a mix of performances by those with special needs and their typical peer models. This is the third year of the event.
Kara Erwin, regional director of The Arc of Ohio, said the event will include food, vendors, free children’s entertainment and a talent show. He said the show gives participants a chance to be in the spotlight.
“The community had a need. I saw that we could do a talent show for people with special needs and developmental disabilities and the community would show up. So making it an inclusive event, allowing the typical talent of peer mentors to participate, allows everyone to participate and support each other.” she said
A total of 43 acts will take place, featuring a variety of talents ranging from song and dance to martial arts. Zayne Alexander Hershaw of Blue Spectrum Band of Columbus will close the show.
“There will be singing, dancing, drumming and spinning fire. We have someone knocking and singing. We have some karaoke and a cappella. We have a martial arts demonstration and we have a fashion show.” she said, adding that Boutique on Main is sponsoring the fashion show.
The show’s opening ceremonies will begin at noon with the St. Clairsville American Legion Post 159 presenting the colors, followed by Peggy Riccadonna singing the National Anthem. In addition to the talent show, free entertainment will be available including bounce houses, a pie eating contest, Oglebay Good Zoo, balloon art, a “hometown heroes” buffer tank and more.
“Hometown heroes are people who are around people with disabilities every day: doctors, restaurant owners, police officers, firefighters. They’re really like a celebrity to our individuals because we have these hometown heroes to help -us in everyday life.” she said
Erwin said there will also be more than 20 information tables on site to provide families with available social services.
“The talent show brings everyone together for entertainment. While doing that, incorporating these information boards, it gets the information to the families that need it. We have everything from Valley Behavioral Services, Kendall Behavioral Services, Easter stamps, tri-county help. We have Cedar Ridge Behavioral Health. We have these social services that come to show families what’s out there.” she said
Platinum sponsors of the event are the Oglebay Institute School of Dance, Shaheen Law Group, Snotty Pooch, Heritage Christian Childcare Center, IC Care and Kalkreuth Roofing. Sheetz in St. Clairsville is donating all the food and water for the contestants and volunteers. Print N Copy, a Gold Sponsor, donated all advertising materials for the event.
Erwin sent a special “thanks” to Cheryl Pompeo, dance instructor at the Oglebay Institute School of Dance, for all her work leading up to the show.
Erwin said they expect a good turnout and look forward to seeing everyone in attendance. Entry and entertainment are free.
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