The Estevan Idol singing competition will be making its return for the Estevan Fair this year.
Estevan Idol was created in 2003 by Gail Hilstrom as entertainment for the Estevan Fair and as an opportunity to show off talent from the community and surrounding area.
The competition, based on the American Idol and Canadian Idol reality TV shows, became a hit in the community, giving away thousands of dollars in prizes each year, and finding some of Estevan’s biggest names in singing.
Many of the past winners and contestants continue to perform professionally to this day, including Teegan Littlechief, Chris Henderson, Aaron and Jacquie Walbaum, Lexie Tytlandsvik, Haley and Kayden Tonita, and Tenille Arts.
The show ran for more than a decade, far surpassing Canadian Idol, with Hilstrom producing it alone from 2003-2005, and in 2006, Travis Frank joined as assistant producer. The 2006 edition was when Junior Idol debuted.
Frank took it over from 2007-2009, and in 2010, the torch was passed to Lisa Beaulieu, who ran the event until its final year in 2013.
During its peak years, Estevan Idol brought in an estimated 500-1,000 people per night to the fair.
The Estevan Exhibition Association is excited to announce that Estevan Idol will return to the Estevan Fair in 2019. Performances will be held at an outdoor stage; a contingency location has not been established in case of rain.
Estevan Junior Idol, which showcases competitors from Grade 8 and below, will run on June 17, and Estevan Idol, for Grades 9-12 and adults, will be the following night. Each will start at 7 p.m.
Auditions for both events will be held May 21 at 6 p.m. at the exhibition building. To register for auditions, please visit estevanidol.com.
Returning to the event this year is Frank as producer, who will take the lead on planning and promoting the event. Lisa Beaulieu will also be returning, however her seat this year will be at the judges’ table.
The event format will be somewhat similar to previous years, with the top 10 Idols and top 10 Junior Idols being selected by the judges at auditions.
All top 10s will perform on the night of their event, with the judges narrowing them down to the top five, who will perform once more with the audience having the opportunity to text to vote for the winners. This year’s Estevan Idol and Estevan Junior Idol will be chosen by the people of Estevan for the first time.
