Miss Teen Popcorn Competition is Saturday

Fourteen contestants will vie for the title of 2010 Miss Teen Popcorn on Saturday, August 14, 7:00 pm, in festivities at River Valley High School. The 2010 Miss Teen Popcorn will receive scholarship money and prizes, be highlighted on the Festival’s main stage, take part in the Orville Redenbacher Parade, and represent the Marion Popcorn Festival at local and statewide events throughout the coming year.

The contestants include:

• Ranissa Harrison, 13, is daughter of Joe and Tammy Harrison of Marion.  She attends ECOT and will give a vocal presentation as her talent.
• The daughter of Tom and Helen Greene of Carey, Rachel Greene will do a cheerleading dance.  The 14-year-old attends Carey High School.
• A student of TRECA Digital Academy, 19-year-old Tiffney Shepherd will perform a jazz routine.  She is the daughter of Barry and Melinda Shepherd.
• Caitlin Sprang attends Upper Sandusky High School.  The 16-year-old daughter of Mike and Vicki Sprang will give a vocal performance.
• Seventeen-year-old Jessica Fittro will clog for her talent.  The daughter of Pam and Robert Fittro of Marion, she attends River Valley High School.
• The 16-year-old daughter of Sandy and Tom Jones of LaRue, Whitney Perry attends Elgin High School.  She’ll be doing a Bollywood routine.
• Jennifer St. John is 16 and attends Pleasant High School.  The daughter of William and Jocelyn St. John of Marion will give a Broadway vocal and tap performance.
• A 14-year-old River Valley High School student, Samantha Appleman will be doing a hip hop/jazz routine.  She is the daughter of April Appleman of Edison and Troy Appleman of Galion.
• Giving a vocal presentation will be Bailey Higgins.  She is the 16-year-old daughter of Brad and Michelle Higgins of Marion and attends River Valley High School.
• Jonnika Shepherd is 17 and attends Tri-Rivers Career Center.  The 17-year-old daughter of Barry & Melinda Shepherd will do a baton routine as her talent.
• Angelica “Angel” Dye is the 16-year-old daughter of Clovis and Brenda Dye.  The River Valley High School student will tap for her talent presentation.
• Mount Gilead High School student Amanda Evans will perform a country clog.  She is the daughter of Kevin and Toni Evans of Edison and is 16.
• A 13-year-old Delaware Hayes High School student, Hunter Boyce will perform a vocal piece.  She is the daughter of Casey Stevens and Jason Boyce, both of Delaware.
• Jazz will be the talent offering for Michaela Walker, 15, who attends Harding High School.  She is the daughter of Heather Walker of Marion and Garald Flowers of Petersburg, IN.

Participants must be aged 13 through a senior in high school and live or go to school in Marion, Crawford, Delaware, Harding, Morrow, Union, or Wyandot county.  Each contestant will compete in evening gown, an on-stage question, talent, and the anything popcorn category.

Currently celebrating its 30th year, the Marion Popcorn Festival is the largest popcorn festival in the world with an annual attendance estimated in excess of 250,000 over the three-day festival.  Other events include The Marion Popcorn Festival Scholarship Program, Miss Teeny Pop, Wee Little Pop, the Orville Redenbacher Popcorn Parade with over 300 units, a popcorn cooking contest, a fine art show, crafts, Popcorn 5000 5K run, Popcorn 100 bike tour, a community showcase stage, and more.

Main stage entertainment for 2010 includes The Kentucky Headhunters on Thursday, September 9, country star Joe Nichols on Friday, September 10, and Blues Traveler on Saturday, September 11.  South of Eden will open for Joe Nichols at 6:30 p.m. on Friday.  For the full list of activities or if you are interested in Kernel Seats for the entertainment, visit www.popcornfestival.com for additional information.  The Marion Popcorn Festival is sponsored in part by the City of Marion.