Festival blog

Talent Show Auditions

July 23, 2026

Call for Stars! Raíces Festival 2026 Talent Show Auditions The Raíces Festival 2026 is looking for talent! Our highly anticipated Talent Show is back, and we want to see what you've got. If you are a singer, dancer, magician, comedian, or possess any unique skill, this is your time to shine on the big stage! Are you ready to share your passion and compete for cash prizes? Check the rules below and mark your calendar for the first round of auditions! Essential Information: Audition Details (Round 1) The journey to stardom begins at the Encompass Event Center. Don't miss this opportunity to represent Clinton County! Date: Thursday, July 30, 2026 Time: 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM Location: Encompass Event Center (260 E. Washington St., Frankfort, IN) Registration Deadline: Monday, July 27, 2026 Important: Audition registration must be completed in advance on the official Raíces website. See the flyers below for full details and rules. Competition Structure and Prizes The competition will consist of three exciting rounds. The top 6-9 performers from Round 1 will advance to the subsequent rounds held during the festival! Round 1 (Auditions): Thursday, July 30 Round 2: Saturday, September 19 (Festival Small Stage) Round 3 (Finals): Saturday, September 19 (Festival Main Stage) Cash Prizes: 🥇 1st Place: $200 🥈 2nd Place: $100 🥉 3rd Place: $50 Key Rules to Remember: Open to all residents of Clinton County, ages 5+. Acts must be 1+ participant and family-friendly. Performance time limit: 5 minutes. Arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled audition time. Basic sound equipment (speaker and microphone) will be provided. See the detailed rules on the "Talent Show Auditions Flyer_English.png" or "Talent Show Auditions Flyer_Spanish.png" for more information.

Essay Contest

July 23, 2026

✍️ Share Your Voice: Raíces Festival 2026 Essay Contest! 📝 Attention Clinton County high schoolers! Are you in grades 9–12 and ready to express your thoughts, creativity, and perspective? The Raíces Festival 2026 Essay Contest is officially open, centered around the theme Las Posadas: Light & Hope! Whether you love writing or just have an impactful story to share, this is your chance to shine and win cash prizes! 📌 Who Can Participate? Open to all high school students (Grades 9–12) in Clinton County. 💡 Choose ONE Essay Prompt: Option 1: Reimagine Las Posadas as a metaphor for a modern social issue. Who is searching for shelter, and what barriers stand in their way? Option 2: Las Posadas symbolizes a journey seeking shelter and belonging. Describe a time in which you or your family experienced the generosity of a stranger. What significance did this have in your life, and what lessons do you carry from it? 📝 Formatting & Submission Guidelines Word Count: Up to 500 words Format: Double spaced, Times New Roman (Size 12), 1-inch margins Required Info: Must include your name, submission date, grade level, school name, and the prompt you chose. How to Submit: Email your completed essay to Esmeralda Cruz at cruze@frankfort.k12.in.us Deadline: Wednesday, August 26, 2026, by 5:00 PM 🏆 Prizes & Scoring Rubric The top 3 contestants will be awarded their prizes on stage on September 19: 🥇 1st Place: $200 🥈 2nd Place: $100 🥉 3rd Place: $50 📊 Rubric (100 Points Total): Stay on topic (15 pts) Fully answer the prompt (15 pts) Connect with the reader (15 pts) No grammatical errors (15 pts) Effectively express thoughts (15 pts) Meaningful message (15 pts) Follow essay guidelines & include all required info (10 pts) Sponsored by The Frankfort Lions Club. ✍️ Comparte tu Voz: ¡Concurso de Ensayo del Festival Raíces 2026! 📝 ¡Atención estudiantes de preparatoria del Condado de Clinton! Si estás en los grados 9 al 12 y tienes una historia o perspectiva que compartir, ¡el Concurso de Ensayo del Festival Raíces 2026 ya está abierto! Este año el tema central es Las Posadas: Luz y Esperanza. ¡Escribe, expresa tus ideas y gana premios en efectivo! 📌 ¿Quién Puede Participar? Abierto a todos los estudiantes de preparatoria (Grados 9 al 12) del Condado de Clinton. 💡 Elige UNA Opción de Ensayo: Opción 1: Reimagina Las Posadas como una metáfora de un problema social moderno. ¿Quién está buscando refugio y qué obstáculos se interponen en su camino? Opción 2: Las Posadas simboliza un viaje en busca de refugio y pertenencia. Describe un momento en el que tú o tu familia experimentaron la generosidad de un extraño. ¿Qué significado tuvo esto en tu vida y qué lecciones llevas contigo? 📝 Pautas de Formato y Entrega Extensión: Hasta 500 palabras Formato: Doble espacio, letra Times New Roman (tamaño 12), márgenes de 1 pulgada Información Requerida: Debe incluir tu nombre, fecha de envío, grado académico, nombre de tu escuela y la pregunta que contestaste. Dónde Enviar: Envía tu ensayo por correo electrónico a Esmeralda Cruz: cruze@frankfort.k12.in.us Fecha Límite: Miércoles, 26 de agosto de 2026 a las 5:00 PM 🏆 Premios y Rúbrica de Calificación Los premios se entregarán a los primeros 3 lugares en el escenario el 19 de septiembre: 🥇 1er Lugar: $200 🥈 2do Lugar: $100 🥉 3er Lugar: $50 📊 Rúbrica de Calificación (100 Puntos En Total): Enfocado en el tema (15 pts) Responde la pregunta (15 pts) Conecta con el lector (15 pts) Sin errores gramaticales (15 pts) Expresa sus pensamientos eficazmente (15 pts) Mensaje valioso (15 pts) Sigue las pautas e incluye toda la información (10 pts) Patrocinado por The Frankfort Lions Club.

Mini Model Contest

July 23, 2026

🎨 Get Creative! Join the Raíces Festival Mini Model Contest 🏮 Are you ready to showcase your creativity and celebrate tradition? The Raíces Festival is calling on all artists, families, and creative minds to participate in this year’s Mini Model Contest: Las Posadas: Light & Hope! Bring your ideas to life by crafting your own colorful, handmade lantern inspired by Las Posadas. 📌 Contest Details & Guidelines Submission Deadline: September 9, 2026 (Before 4:00 PM) Drop-off Location: Purdue Extension Office (1111 S. Jackson Street) Who Can Participate: Open to anyone 5 years and older residing in Clinton County. Team Size: Individual entries or teams of up to 4 people. ✂️ Design Requirements: Must be 100% handmade. Maximum Size: 2 ft. by 3 ft. Maximum Height: 18 inches. Bonus Points: Earn extra points if your lantern actually lights up! 💡 🏆 Cash Prizes & Exhibition Show off your hard work on the big stage! All project models will be exhibited during the festival, with the official award ceremony taking place on stage on Saturday, September 19. 1st Place: $200 2nd Place: $100 3rd Place: $50 Special thanks to our sponsor, Crusin' Dumpsters, for supporting this community event!

Raíces Festival 2026 Art Contest: The Door Opened for Me

July 21, 2026

Express your creativity and share your story! We are excited to announce the 2026 Raíces Festival Art Contest sponsored by Psi Iota Xi. 🎨 Theme "THE DOOR OPENED FOR ME" Illustrate a moment when someone welcomed you in or gave you an opportunity (literally or figuratively). 📌 Requirements & Guidelines Eligibility: Open to any middle or high school student in Clinton County. Size: Art pieces must be no larger than 13 x 19 inches. Submission: Turn in your artwork to Esmeralda Cruz at the Purdue Extension Office (1111 S. Jackson St.). Deadline: By 4:00 PM on Wednesday, September 9. 🏆 Prizes (Awarded Separately for Middle & High School) 1st Place: $120 2nd Place: $60 3rd Place: $30 Prizes will be awarded on Saturday, September 19.