'Cove's Got Talent' Continues to Grow After Four Years

An annual talent show enables the community to show what makes them unique while raising money for a local foundation.

For the fourth year in a row, Cove's Got Talent took place Saturday, Aug. 19, during Party in the Park. The event was held as a way to raise money for Cove Cause for Cancer and has become a popular event for participants and viewers alike.

The fundraiser is dedicated to helping cancer patients and their families pay for medical and travel expenses.

Tim Guyer has been in charge of Cove's Got Talent from the beginning. He said that the initial idea for the talent show came from the fact that Party in the Park had musical performances at it.

"What better way to showcase the talent in the Cove than our own show?" he said. "I put this show together as a way for people to express themselves and be able to pick songs that encourage people going through cancer."

Each year has proven to be very popular with the residents, encompassing individuals and groups with all sorts of abilities. This year featured vocalists, baton twirlers, instruments, and dancers.

There are different divisions for the show. Guyer said these change each year to work with the type of talent that they have signed up. This year, for example, they added baton categories for junior groups, senior groups, and solo acts.

The show was judged by Stacey Grab and Alana Atherton, who have done so each year that the event has taken place. Guyer said they do not know who participates until the show occurs to make things more fair.

"They may see some similar faces from past years, but we always have new talent joining," Guyer said. "Everyone is always absolutely amazing."

This year, there were 21 total acts with 35 participants.

To raise money for Cove Cause for Cancer, all talent pays a small entry fee to participate. Attendees also pay to watch, and light refreshments are sold during the show.

In total, this year's Cove's Got Talent made $400 for Cove Cause for Cancer.

Guyer said that the fundraiser held special meaning for some of the participants.

"We allow talent to dedicate their performances to people that either lost their journey of cancer or are survivors of their journey or who are going through their journey," he said.

Even though the talent show does have winners, Guyer said that participants are aware it is not all about getting a trophy.

"The real winners, at the end of the day, are the cancer patients that we are helping," he said. "Each performer is doing this for a cause, not self-glory."

Before the show, he said that he reminded the talent that they were all winners, especially as they were helping those in need.

"I feel this helps encourage each performer to do it for the reason of others and not themselves," he said.

This year's overall winner was Ellen Stuckey, a former Northern Bedford music teacher. She performed an original piano solo arrangement for the judges.

As next year's show will mark their fifth one overall, Guyer said plans are already in the making.

"We want to make it special," he said. "We already have people signing up for next year and invite everyone to join. Let's make 2024 a great show."

Cove's Got Talent is open to children, teens, and adults. Those interested in participating next year or who want to learn more about Cove's Got Talent can do so by contacting Guyer via email at [email protected].