Applications are being accepted for the second annual LaGrange Has Talent competition.

LaGrange Has Talent replaced Merry Market as a fundraiser last year and raised $15,000 dollars for BLOCKS, an early childhood education program that focuses on helping children under five prepare for beginning kindergarten.

Twelve-year-old Charlie Key won the contest in its first year. 

Any Troup County resident interested in participating in the 2018 LaGrange Has Talent Contest has until Sept. 30 to submit a family-friendly audition video online at lagrangehastalent.com. Single and group acts of all ages are accepted, and audition videos must be less than three minutes. There is a $50 application fee that goes directly to benefit early childhood education programs.

“Raising funds to support early learning resources and programs is important to me because focusing on giving the youngest children in the community what they need to develop mentally, physically, socially and emotionally is such an effective way to prevent so many issues that are a struggle for our community, state and nation,” said Meredith Key, co-creator of BLOCKS.  “Imagine if we had an entire generation of children who started kindergarten ready to learn.”

Online voting will be open from Oct. 1 through Oct. 31. Voting is open to anyone and is unlimited. Each vote costs $1.

The ten acts with the most votes at the end of October will be asked to perform live on Nov. 15 for a panel of judges and an audience. The winner of the final round will receive $2,000, and the People’s Choice winner will receive $500.

The contest is organized by the Magnolia Society United Way Women’s Leadership Council.

“We are proud to showcase the talent in our community and to share the joy of giving with everyone who comes to the website to vote, and attends the final show,” said stage manager Melissa Miller. “Join us while we have fun making a real difference in the lives of young children.”