Grab your garden chairs and pitch pipes, music lovers: A favourite musical contest is coming again to Island Park.

Twelve contestants from Isabella County have been chosen in June to compete within the “Battle of Local Vocals.”

“The city of Mount Pleasant and the Morey Foundation have partnered together to host a vocal talent competition for Isabella County residents,” in keeping with a launch from town of Mount Pleasant. “This year will be the third year for the contest.” 

This occasion is open to the general public. It is slated to happen at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 16 at Island Park Arts Pavillion. Some seating is supplied, however garden chairs are welcomed. 

“Our whole purpose with doing this is just to provide some free and fun entertainment for the community,” Erik Spindler stated. Spindler is the manager administrator for the Morey Foundation, which supplied the prize cash for winners. 

According to the discharge, there are prizes for the highest three winners: $5,000 for first place, $2,000 for second place and $1,000 for third. 

“Mr. Morey has always had a love for the fine arts, so that’s a main motivation,” Spindler stated. 

The occasion is deliberate to final about 90 minutes — lengthy sufficient for the performers to sing songs of all styles and sizes, and be judged on rating sheets. 

“Every one of them has some musical background,” Spindler stated, referring to the judges. “They’re volunteering their time.” 

“Battle for Local Vocals” made its debut in 2021 as a pandemic response. 

“The whole reason this came to be was when we were coming out of COVID,” Spindler stated. “People were cooped up, and we thought ‘hey, let’s give people something to do.’”