Plenty of hard work by dancers, singers and organizers went into the Homecomers talent show Thursday.

"It's unbelievable. Nobody can imagine what it is," said Linda Penzel about the work she has put in to prepare as director of entertainment for Homecomers. Penzel said she and the late Marybeth Williams began planning for this year's event about two years ago.

While performers may not have put in two years, some began preparing not long after last year's talent competition ended.

Sloane Johnson, 10, of Jackson prepared for about eight months to dance to the song "Sir Duke." Sloane said she started learning how to dance six years ago.

Jenny Duncan, 6, and her older sister, Bailey, 17, said they began preparing for the competition in May. They said they both began singing when they were 1 or 2 years old. Bailey, an all-state choir member, said she has competed every year since she was 10.

Along with hard work on singing and dancing, several performers paid special attention to the songs they chose for their acts.

Jenny Duncan sang the song "Fabulous" from her favorite movie, "High School Musical 2," and Bailey Duncan sang "Defying Gravity" from her favorite musical, "Wicked."

But other performers just chose something for convenience. Cameron Tyler, 9, of Jackson said he and his singing teacher chose "God Bless the USA" because they thought it sounded good with his voice.

Outfits also received special attention from some performers.

Leah Hecht, Breana Kinder, Megan Smith and Sydney Poat, who danced to the song "Wild, Wild West," dressed in pink leotards with sequins, pink cowboy boots and white cowboy hats. They also brought along two guns each for their jazz dance.

But Jenny and Bailey Duncan said they went to the store with their mother and just found dresses that were pretty and felt good.

While most performers Thursday hailed from Jackson, at least one singer, Kristan Woods, came from Kevil, Ky. Woods sang "Are You From Dixie?" with five others in the 13-to-21-year-old division. Woods' mother, Jody Flowers, said they use Homecomers to practice for another talent competition in Paducah, Ky., in September.

Dozens of family members and friends came to support the children in their performances, but many members of the audience just came to enjoy the talent show.

Bart Eaton of Fruitland said he and his wife come every year to Homecomers only for the talent show.

Joan Dohogne and her husband, Jim, also come every year for the show, but they did not know any of the performers.

"They're cute," Joan Dohogne said about the young performers.

Jeff and Stephany Davidson of Jackson said the high energy of the performances was what draws them every year, even though they don't know any performers.

"It's something to get out of the house," Jeff Davidson said.

Thursday's competition was a preliminary round. Performers in tonight's finals competition will be vying for one of the top three positions in each age group to qualify for the Mid-South Fair from Sept. 19 to 28 in Memphis, Tenn.

Penzel said three local judges as well as a representative from Mid-South will appear tonight. If the representative feels an act has talent and did not place in the judges' top three, she can offer that act the opportunity to compete at Memphis.

The winner of the Mid-South Fair competition will receive $3,000.

The talent show final starts at 7 p.m. today on the stage in front of the county courthouse in Jackson.

tthomas@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 197

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