Thursday At The Fair: Talent Show And More

Braden Smith was the winner of the Thursday, July 14, talent show at the Kosciusko County Fair. He won by playing a medley of songs from “Pirates of the Caribbean” on the keyboard. From left: Second place finishers Kylie Evans and Jordyn Leininger, who sang a duet; Smith; third place finisher Audrey Fitzsimmons; and 2022 Teen Kosciusko Fair Queen Jasmine Fuller. InkFreeNews photos by Leah Sander.

By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — Braden Smith has played piano for at least 10 years.

All those years of practice paid off Thursday, July 14, when he won the Kosciusko County Fair’s talent competition.

The 15-year-old from Milford won by playing a medley of songs from “Pirates of the Caribbean” on the keyboard.

It was his first time competing in the fair’s talent show.

“It was last-minute,” he said regarding his decision to enter. “I came here and I was like, ‘I guess I can enter. They have a piano here.'”

“I’m surprised,” he said on how it felt to win. “It was fun to do.”

Coming in second was the duo of Jordyn Leininger and Kylie Evans from Warsaw, who sang a duet. Getting third place was Audrey Fitzsimmons of Milford, who sang and played the keyboard.

Upcoming Events

Those going out to the fair tonight, July 15, can enjoy the demolition derby. The grandstand opens at 6 p.m., with pit gates opening at 6:30 p.m. and the show starting at 7:30 p.m.

On Saturday, July 16, are the truck and tractor pulls with hot semis. The grandstand opens at 6 p.m., with the pit gates opening at 6:30 p.m. and the show starting at 7:30 p.m.

For both events, grandstand admission is free. Pit passes are $6 for kids age 9 and younger and $15 for adults.

Janet Burke of Warsaw performs Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin'” during the talent show.

Cal Wilson of Milford tells jokes during the show.

Blake Stump of Claypool sings Benson Boone’s “Ghost Town” in the talent show.

Kosciusko County Jail Chemical Addiction Program Coordinator Courtney Jenkins, right, hands out a freebie at the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office booth at the fair on Thursday to Kaden Berry.