BENNINGTON — Think you’ve got talent? Here’s your chance to prove it – and potentially win $1,000.
The annual Bennington County’s Got Talent show is now accepting applications for the upcoming 2024 show, which will be held on Feb. 22 from at the Monument Arts and Cultural Center, 44 Gypsy Lane, Bennington, VT.
The Bennington Banner and Manchester Journal, Catamount Access TV, Coggins Auto Group and Heritage Family Credit Union – sponsors of the popular event — are looking for singers, dancers, and anyone who is talented and ready to put it on the line before a live audience.
The show is now accepting online applications at benningtonbanner.com/gottalent. Applicants can submit a short audition video by Jan. 19, 2024.
“This is a great chance for performers to show off their talent before a fun, local audience,” said Jordan Brechenser, president and publisher of Vermont News & Media, owner of the Banner and Journal. “All of the sponsors enjoy promoting and highlighting the best of our county, including our talented neighbors.”
Selected participants from throughout Bennington County will compete for the $1,000 prize and winner’s bragging rights. Applicants should upload a video of their talent or planned performance to benningtonbanner.com/gottalent. Those chosen to appear in the Bennington County’s Got Talent event will be notified quickly of their acceptance – and can get busy practicing.
Gretchen Sausville, a 23-year-old Bennington native, was the crowd favorite in 2023, performing in her fourth try at the contest. She started performing as a young ballerina and sang in a choir, including numerous performances as part of the Mount Anthony Union High School drama department.
She is now a preschool teacher who is studying early childhood education at Community College of Vermont. From the moment she started belting out her bluesy rendition of “Black Horse and the Cherry Tree,” made famous by KT Tunstall. The judges and the audience were hooked, both in person and online.
“This is so awesome,” Sausville said after her name was called. “It’s almost unbelievable. After doing this for so long and being so sick, I just, you know, said to myself before I sang that I’d try again another year. I’m glad I came.”
The event will also be livestreamed online for a wider audience through CAT-TV Channel 1085 and Facebook Live.
