2026 Bill Riley Talent Search - Day 2

Musicians, Dancers and Singers Top Iowa State Fair Talent Search

Four talented Sprout division acts (ages 2-12) and seven Senior division acts (ages 13-21) have advanced to the semi-final round in Bill Riley’s 66th annual Iowa State Fair Talent Search. Each act will perform again on Thursday, August 20, Friday, August 21 or Saturday, August 22.

The names, ages, hometowns and routines of the sprouts acts are:

Eloise Pohlmann, 8, Truro, Vocal Solo

Sadie Kluender, 9, Chariton, Lyrical Dance Solo

Riley Oster, 12, and Schalee Schrader, 12, Woodbine, Tap Dance Duet

Arnav Dervesh, 12, Ankeny, Piano Solo

The names, ages, hometowns and routines of the senior acts are:

Mara Henn, 14, West Des Moines, Lyrical Dance Solo

Harper Lampe, 14, Fort Dodge, Vocal Solo

Reece O’Leary, 17, Grimes, Instrumental Solo

Emersynn Harter, 19, Des Moines, Baton Twirling

Annie Hopkins, 16, Unionville, Vocal & Guitar Solo

Alivia Rediske, 18, and Marley Ali, 17, Polk City, Lyrical Duet

Ava Skarin, 16; Lauryn Jorgensen, 18; Ady Sporrer, 17; Bailee Arkfeld, 17; Cassidy Halbur, 17; Denison, Tap Quintet

The Bill Riley Talent Search has put Iowa’s young talent on stages across the state each summer since 1960. Nearly 100 local qualifying competitions are held across the state and winners advance to the State Fair competition, where there are seven days of preliminary competition for Sprouts (ages 2-12) and Seniors (ages 13-21), followed by the semi-finals and, ultimately, the selection of one Senior Champion. The Sprouts do not compete beyond the semi-finals, but perform in the Championship Show as Sprout Champions set for Sunday, August 23 at 1:30 p.m. on the Anne and Bill Riley Stage sponsored by Pepsi and media sponsor iHeart Radio.

More than $22,000 will be awarded to the Senior and Sprout divisions combined.

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The Iowa State Fair is one of the oldest and largest agricultural and industrial expositions in the country and the single largest event in the state. The Fair began over 170 years ago and is now considered one of the best events in the nation, attracting more than one million Fairgoers every year from all over the world. The Fairgrounds are located at East 30th and East University, just off the interstate and minutes from Downtown Des Moines. Fair Spirit, August 13-23, 2026. For more information, visit www.iowastatefair.org.