If Vandy Newman were Emma Lazarus, she would have written a different Statue of Liberty poem.

Newman’s would have went like this: “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to win the 2008 Mower County Fair Amateur Talent Contest.”

It’s that time again and Newman is in charge of recruiting talent to compete for honors in August.

After several years of coordinating the amateur talent contest, Newman has become an expert.

“I will contact the schools to remind them to encourage students to enter,” she said. “I will just pass the word to invite anyone with a talent to join us and have fun at the Mower County Fair. I will do whatever I can to get people to enter,” she said.

The 2008 Mower County Fair will be held Aug. 5-10 at the county fairgrounds in southwest Austin.

One of the most popular events each year is the amateur talent contest scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 9, this year at Fair Square.

Fiddlers, vocalists, pianists, jugglers, monologists and other novices vie as in the television competition show “American Idol” for prize money, recognition and satisfaction.

Also at stake is a trip to compete in the 2008 Minnesota State Fair amateur talent contest and the distinction of being declared the “best in the state.”

According to Newman, the rules are simple: candidates must be residents of Mower County and pay a $10 entry fee to compete.

They have until 5 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 7, to enter one of three divisions.

There is the pre-teen division for those up to 12 years of age; the teen division for those 13-19; and the open division for all other entrants.

The prize money is $40 for first place, $30 for second and $20 for third.

“The first place winners in each division automatically qualify for a trip to the state fair,” Newman said.

Unlike “American Idol,” the judges will not include an intractable Simon Cowell.

In addition to recruiting contestants, Newman is also seeking three judges to observe the talent on display Aug. 9.

When the amateur talent contest is held, it fills Fair Square to overflowing.

Only the Old-time Fiddlers Contest attracts more fair-goers.

“The teen division is the largest,” Newman said, “We get more contestants in that division than in any other.”

Newman said she personally would like to see more adults and senior citizens compete for the “fun of it.

“Everybody has fun. They all enjoy themselves and so does the audience,” Newman said.

More details about the contest are available in the official 2008 Mower County Fair Book now available at public libraries and banks in Mower County.

For more information, call Newman at 437-4437 or the Mower County Fair office at 433-1868.