NEW HAVEN — Fourteen talented Mason County residents will compete Saturday to see if they have what it takes to become the next Mason County Fair Idol.

The Mason County Fair Idol concert will be 7 p.m. Saturday, July 25 at the Bend Area Community Center in New Haven. Doors open at 6 p.m., and Bernita Allen, event organizer, described the concert as a great evening of entertainment.

The 14 contestants will compete to be one of the final five who will perform each day at the inside stage during the Mason County Fair, which is slated for Aug. 10-15. The final five contestants will be announced at the conclusion of Saturday’s concert. In addition, the 2008 Mason County Idol winner, Tarah Marie Gerlach, will perform during Saturday’s elimination concert. The 2008 Mason County Fair Queen Katrina Keefer also will be in attendance.

During fair week, one contestant will be voted off each day through a combination of judges scores and popular vote. The Mason County Fair Idol will be named at the conclusion of Friday’s performance and the winner will perform on the main stage of the fairgrounds prior to the Adam Gregory concert.

Contestants competing on Saturday include Kristen Mendez, Rachel Roque, Shelby Gerlach, Tamra Hardwick, Ryan Dickie, Megan Casto, Anthony Bond, Cryena Roach, Cadence Weaver, Katie Hendricks, Gabrielle Mankin, Hannah Foreman, Hillary Reigel and Mary Kebler. Contestants auditioned earlier this month at the Krodel Park Clubhouse in Point Pleasant and the Bend Area Community Center.

According to Allen, the final five contestants will receive money. Last year’s inaugural contest winners were Gerlach, idol winner; Chase Likens, first runner-up; and Veronika Ohlinger, second runner-up.

The contest is sponsored by the Mason County Fair, Inc. and hosted by B&J Music.

For more information, call Allen at 304-882-2236 or 304-882-3887.