Nebraska State Fair Celebrates Award Winners from 2026 Galaxy of Stars Talent Contest

The Nebraska State Fair and Vision Productions, Inc. have partnered for 20 years to bring the Galaxy of Stars® Talent Search Finals to the state fair. The event was held Sunday, August 30th at 6:00 PM on the ACP Park Stage at the annual State Fair.

Since its beginning in 1993, the Galaxy of Stars® Talent Search has grown to be the biggest talent search in Nebraska, featuring singers, dancers, instrumentalists and variety acts of all ages. 19 acts qualified for the state finals by participating in preliminary contests including the Online Virtual Video Contest judged by industry professionals in Nashville, TN, The Saline County Talent Search in Crete presented by the Crete Lions Club & Blue River Arts Council and Lookin’ For A Star presented by Platte Valley Events in Columbus.

Overall Awards:

MEGA STAR             (Highest Scoring Contestant Overall)
                                    Trophy:  Olivia Vanderford, Nova, Vocal, Lincoln

SHINING STAR         (Highest Scoring Contestant(s) in Star Quality, “The Shine Factor”)
                                     Trophy:  Olivia Vanderford, Nova, Vocal, Lincoln

SUPERSTAR              (Voted Overall Best Performance by All Contestants)
                                      Trophy:  Jayde Dorsey, Shooting Star, Vocal, Omaha

PEOPLE’S CHOICE  (Voted Overall Best Performance chose by online public voting on State Fair website)

1st Place Trophy: The Riley Morgan Band, Vocal/Instrumental, Grand Island
(members: Riley Morgan, Nolan Steinke, Brenden Brown, Matthew Chaney)
2nd Place:  Bryan Jaimes, Dance, Crete
3rd Place:  Alessandra Valencia, Dance, Grand Island

Age Division Awards:

COMETS (12 & Under)
1st  Place          $250.00 Cash & Trophy:  Shane Parde, Guitar, Adams
2nd Place           $150.00 Cash & Trophy:  Elsie Ebben, Vocal, Lincoln
3rd Place           $100.00 Cash & Trophy:  Shane Parde, Vocal/Guitar, Adams

SHOOTING STARS (13 to 18):
1st  Place           $250.00 Cash & Trophy:  Alessandra Valencia, Dance, Grand Island                             
2nd Place           $150.00 Cash & Trophy:  Jayde Dorsey, Vocal, Omaha
3rd Place           $100.00 Cash & Trophy:  Bryan Jaimes, Dance, Crete

NOVAS (19 & Over)
1st  Place           $250.00 Cash & Trophy:  Olivia Vanderford, Vocal, Lincoln          
2nd Place           $150.00 Cash & Trophy:  The Riley Morgan Band, Vocal/Instrumental Group, Grand Island            
(members: Riley Morgan, Nolan Steinke, Brenden Brown, Matthew Chaney)
3rd Place         $100.00 Cash & Trophy:  Mitch Heavican, Vocal, Rogers

Overall Vocalist (Highest Scoring Individual or Group – All Age Divisions)
Presented by Vision Productions, Inc. and Wynnesong Records, Nashville
Nashville Recording Package ($4,500.00 Value) - Includes Production Consultation, National Song Search, Studio Musicians, Background Singers, Produced, Mixed and Mastered.

To schedule and interview or request photos contact: Wynne Adams at 615-495-7375. Galaxy of Stars® Facebook: www.facebook.com/galaxyofstarstalentsearch

For additional information go to the official Galaxy of Stars® website at  www.galaxyofstarstalentsearch.com.