Local politicians won’t be the only ones campaigning for votes this November, with voting opening on Nov. 2 to choose the People’s Choice Award for LaGrange Has Talent.

On Tuesday, LaGrange Has Talent announced the top 10 finalists for its show, which will benefit early learning programs in Troup County while showcasing local talent.

The fundraiser is put on by the Magnolia Society, a Women’s Leadership Council of United Way of West Georgia, and replaces the previous Merry Market fundraiser. The group believes that the new fundraiser will spread the word about early education more effectively than the previous fundraiser and is excited about the competition’s success so far.

“We were thrilled in the number of participants, and we were thrilled about the excitement that was generated in the community, not only about the event but for the cause,” said Stephanie Preston, the chairperson for fundraising through the Magnolia Society. “We are perpetually trying to get our message out about how important it is to start the learning process at an early age. Our programs cover early learning from birth to age 5, getting children ready for kindergarten, so we’ve reached pockets in the community that we have not been able to reach before.”

This year’s finalists who are to perform at the competition are:

• Andi & Aubrey – Singing performance

• Bryson and Laegan Smith –  Singing duo with guitar and piano

• Bentley, Lucy, Lydia, and Madelyn – Contemporary dance

• Charlie Key – Singing performance

• Young Singers – Group of singers

• Cade and Jennifer – Singing performance

• Tom Gore – Piano performance

• The Amazing JahWill – Magician

• Anna Willis – Singing performance

• Noah Smith – Singing performance

These finalists received the most votes out of the 38 entries in the competition. The votes were purchased at $1 per vote. The first round of voting raised $6,840 for Babies Learning on Course for Kindergarten Success during October.

“The votes were in the form of donations to BLOCKS, and that is an early learning program in Troup County,” Preston said. “All the money raised is going to go back into the community to help for school readiness, which is getting children ready for kindergarten.”

The first ever winner of LaGrange Has Talent will be selected by a panel of judges following a live stage performance on Nov. 16 at the Troup County Fine Arts Auditorium. The winner of the competition will receive $2,000.

There will also be a winner for the People’s Choice Award who will receive $500. In order to vote for the People’s Choice Award, visit LaGrangehastalent.com/finalist and vote before Nov. 15. Besides voting, funds are also raised through sponsorships, video applications and ticket sales to the show.

The top 10 will perform at the Troup High Fine Arts Center on Nov. 16 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Adult tickets are $15 each. Students are $10 each.

Children 5-years-old and under are free. Tickets can be purchased at Lagrangehastalent.com/tickets, by calling (706) 884-8292 or at the door the night of the event.