Estevan Idol was back for its 10th year, as the Estevan Fair kicked things off on Monday evening.

Tuesday night saw the preliminary under-15, junior competition, as nine contestants took to the Idol stage before the three judges, Launa Coyne, Brad Bengert and Ryan MacKenzie, and a special fourth judge, last year’s Estevan Idol winner Lexi Tytslandsvik.

Of the nine performances, the judges were tasked to narrow the field down to four who would perform in the final round on Wednesday evening. That proved a little too challenging, as a tie couldn’t be broken as the judges deliberated. Five junior finalists moved forward for a chance to be this year’s junior idol. Samantha Pauchard, Faith Kyle, Emily Thompson, Brooklyn Willerth and Keysha Grulich were the lucky finalists.

Other contestants were Carter Macfarlane, who performed Amazing Grace, Brittany Tuchscherer, who sang Mean, Hayley Greening who covered Price Tag, and Mary Stachoski who performed Stronger.
At the end of Tuesday night’s performances, Bengert left a message for the finalists heading into the last day of competition.

“Do what you can to make it happen,” he said. “Pretend it’s your job and you’re making money at this.”
Tytslandsvik added, “I hope you step it up even more, because I’m excited (for the finals).”

Idol was moved into the Civic Auditorium for the competition, which ran from Monday to Wednesday evenings.

The event kicked off before the senior competition on Monday with a banging of garbage cans, shouting and jumping through the audience as the Estevan Comprehensive School’s Stomp band put on a percussive performance.

Vying for the senior Estevan Idol crown were Sabrina Demyen, Karissa Hoffart, Molly Foggarty and Blair Wrubleski. These four were to have two songs prepared for the competition final.

The judges gave them some advice on what they would be looking for in the singers’ final performances.

“Use that stage, like I’ve told you before,” said Bengert. “Song choice is always good. Myself, I like to see the stage presence. A fast song helps, but a slow song is OK as long as you work it good.”

Also participating Monday evening in the senior category were Darian King, performing Somebody That I Used to Know; Aniruddha Ray, who sang Unchained Melody; Loralee Taylor, with I Won’t Give Up; and Jodi McLaughlin who performed Accidentally in Love.

While the judges deliberated at the end of Monday’s show, Lucinda Milford performed a couple of country jams for the audience as they waited for the verdict on who would be moving on.

Kyle Whitehead hosted the competition, introducing each performer and doing a brief interview with each after they completed their songs.

For the final results of Estevan Idol, check next Wednesday’s Estevan Mercury.