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HAVE YOU GOT TALENT? Become the Star of your Bar!

01-February-2010

Read more to find a list of pubs participating in Stars of our Bars Talent Competition! The Vintners' Federation of Ireland (VFI), in conjunction with Smithwick's, is giving the Irish public the chance to showcase their talent in the ‘Stars of our Bars' pub talent competition, which has kicked off in pubs around the country. Entrants stand the chance to win big if they qualify for the finals, with a total prize fund of €50,000 at stake. Listen to our radio advert by clicking on the following link: http://www.vfi.ie/files/media_presence/VFI_Stars_Of_Our_Bars_40sec_radio.mp3

Entry to the competition is free and aspiring entertainers can enter through their nearest participating pubs. A list of participating pubs is available by clicking on the following link: Stars_of_Our_Bars_Participating_Pub.xls

If you long for the glitz and glamour of a showbiz career, to become the next Susan Boyle or to don the magician's wand like Keith Barry look no further than the all-encompassing VFI Stars of our Bars talent competition.

Designed to encourage hidden or more experienced performers to get involved, Stars of our Bars county heats will commence mid January 2010 continuing until the end of March. The competition will be running in 400 pubs outside of Dublin. Each pub will have the chance to run up to eight competition heats and finalists will be chosen from each participating county to be put forward to the provincial finals in April.

The lucky finalists who make it through the county and provincial stages of the competition will then take part in the Grand Final in May.

Val Hanley, President of the VFI, said: "We are delighted to be bringing a new and exciting talent competition to pubs across the country. We hope to see high numbers of existing and emerging talents enter at their local pub and really getting involved.

"The pub is at the heart of the community and brings people together. What better than a talent competition to kick off the New Year and bring a bit of excitement and entertainment to communities nationwide."

Trevor Hunt, Senior Brand Manager Smithwicks, added: "Smithwicks has always been at the heart of the pub and is delighted to support a great campaign which encourages community involvement. We wish every entrant the best of luck throughout the competition."

About Stars of our Bars
• The competition will commence late January with the Grand Final taking place end of May.

• Entrants to apply through their nearest participating pub.

• There is no entry fee for participants.

• The prizes for the pub finals are at the discretion of the publicans.

• The prize for the county winner will be €1,000.

• The prize for the all Ireland winner will be €7,500.

• Two acts will be chosen at the county finals to go forward to the provincial stages.

• All contestants must be over 18 years of age.