(Photo By Flickr User Derek Gavey)

Fair officials are expanding a statewide competition to find a singer who’ll be the opening act for the Illinois State and Du Quoin State Fairs.

According to wgem.com & The Associated Press, starting June 10th; there’ll be 12 karaoke competitions at local county fairs for soloists in cities including Decatur, Urbana, and Morris, IL.

Last year there were eight such regional contests.

To enter, competitors must be 18 years old. They are recommended to register on the Illinois State Fair website at www.illinois.gov/statefair. Registration begins, right now.

State Fair Manager Kevin Gordon says, it’s a free contest with a big reward.

The Illinois State Fair in Springfield, IL, begins Thursday, August 10th and the Du Quoin State Fair in Du Quoin, IL  starts Friday, August 25th.