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ST. CLAIRSVILLE -- Volunteers were hard at work preparing the city amphitheater Friday for the Everyone's Got Talent event, where people of all ages with developmental disabilities will perform a variety of acts.
The event is 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. today at the St. Clairsville Recreation Center's outdoor amphitheater, located at 102 Fair St. It will feature 43 performers and showcase singing, dancing, comedy and martial arts. The awards ceremony will be at 3:30 p.m.
Kara Erwin, regional director of The Arc of Ohio, was on-hand as the food trucks pulled in and other volunteers hung banners.
"This event has gotten so big we invite everybody to come the day before," she said.
Sadie McFarland of Belmont, one of the original contestants and currently attending college at Messiah University in Pennsylvania, was rehearsing for the opening ceremony. She will sing "Belmont, Land of Beautiful Mountains," which she wrote.
"I really enjoy it. Singing is a big part of my life. I'm legally blind, so anything audio I really enjoy. I love singing. I love music. To be able to do this and share an original piece with the place that it was written about is really an honor," she said. "It talks about the history from when the French came into Belmont. 'Belmont' means 'Beautiful Mountain' so it's really important that we tell the history of our area. It is a small area, but we're proud of it and it's important for people to be aware of that."
Erwin said McFarland was always a welcome part of the event.
"She wrote the most original, beautiful song," she said.
McFarland will also have art for sale through her small business, Beautifully Blind Art.
Sarah Yeager, direct support professional who works with adults and children with intellectual and developmental disabilities, said excitement was high among contestants.
"The adults and kids that have ID and DD are just so excited for this event, because it just makes them feel more included in the community, and they're able to spread more awareness in a fun and supportive way with their peers, with people who are typical kids and typical adults. It's just a great way for everyone to come together and have support from the community," she said.
"They definitely practice pretty hard on this stuff, and they have to practice in different ways than typical kids and adults," she said. "They have to put more thought and practice in it. ... There's lots of long-term benefits. It teaches them how to be successful in the community, how to coexist in a community."
Father and daughter Ed and Vivian Barricklow of St. Clairsville were gold sponsors, who donated an iPad as one of the prizes to be raffled off. They have volunteered for four years.
"She started when she was about 3. She's been helping since she was 3 or 4. From day one almost," Ed Barricklow said. "They had a fundraiser at the mall and she was there. I won a basket and donated it back and have been helping ever since."
Vivian Barricklow, now 9, is enthusiastic to help.
"I wanted to help the people who needed help the most," she said, adding the work contestants put into their performances is always inspiring.
Ed Barricklow was soon setting up the dunk tank with the help of fellow volunteer Sam Fregiato. The dunk tank was donated by ICR Equipment Rental.
Erwin thanked other sponsors, including Oglebay School of Dance, Heritage Christian Childcare and the Village Network.
Erwin said the MCs will be Peg Riccadonna and John Rataiczak.
"We also have a very special guest performance coming, and that's going to be around 1:30 p.m.," she said.
St. Clairsville Middle School Principal Mike McKeever stopped by to donate two athletic passes for all sporting events on behalf of the athletic department for prizes.
"It's something that we at St. Clairsville Schools are proud to be a part of and help out in any way we can, to support our students and also our community members with special needs," he said. "I'll be in the dunk tank again. ... It's a blast each year. I think the kids come out and like to take shots at me."
Wendy Anderson, director of the St. Clairsville Area Chamber of Commerce, also stopped by.
"It's something that is needed. This inclusion, this event is going to encompass all these people who need this service," she said. "It brings a lot of people into St. Clairsville because this is what we want. We've got a beautiful town."