Entries are being accepted for the 36th Annual Minnesota State Fair Amateur Talent Contest.

A total of $7,445 in prize money will be awarded to the first- through third-place winners in three divisions. Entries are being accepted for all age groups. Age categories are: Open Division, for any age; Teen Division, ages 13-18; and Preteen Division, ages 12 and under.

Auditions for the amateur talent contest run Monday, July 28 through Sunday, Aug. 3 at the Leinie Lodge Bandshell on the fairgrounds. The auditions will begin at 5:30 p.m. on weekdays and 11 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday, according to a press release.

From auditions, semi-finalists will be selected to perform during the Minnesota State Fair, which runs Aug. 21-Sept. 1

Participants are encouraged at www.mnstatefair.org [1]. For more information, call the talent contest information line at: (651) 288-4395 or e-mail msfent@mnstatefair.org [2].