Chloe Evans of Le Mars, took third place at the local Bill Riley Talent Search contest held at the Plymouth County Fair on July 27. She had qualified for the state contest at an earlier show. [Click to enlarge]

A Le Mars girl has advanced to the semi-finals in the Sprout Division of Bill Riley's 49th annual Iowa State Fair Talent Search.

Chloe Evans, 9, of Le Mars, will perform again on Thursday, Aug. 14. She qualified for the talent search with a piano solo.

More than 250 acts have qualified to compete in this year's Sprouts competition, hosted once again by Bill Riley, Jr. Two sprout acts will be crowned champions every day of the semi-finals. Winners each earn a trophy and $150.

The winning acts will perform in the talent-packed championship set for Sunday, Aug. 17 at 1:30 p.m. on the Riley Stage sponsored by Pepsi. Farm Bureau Financial Services will award more than $15,000 in Sprout and Senior divisions combined.