Vicki Culver encurages those with talent in Lehigh to apply to compete in the Spring Festival Idol contest.

If you like Fox TV’s American Idol, which has just started, you’ll love the Lehigh Spring Festival’s version, call the Festival Idol contest

The Spring Festival, which begins on March 20 and runs through March 28 will also feature again this year for the umpteenth time the Festival Idol Contest.

But to get into the contest, you have to signs up for the competition and Vicki Culver, the emcee of the talent program and president of the board of the Lehigh Spring Festival, is urging residents in Lehigh to go online and signs up for the competition.

Culver said you can go to: www.lehighspringfestival.com or you can stop by her business, Home For All The Holidays on Homestead Rd., near Arthur Ave. and pick up a copy.

The Spring Festival Idol contests are sponsored by Lehigh General and Implant Dentistry. They have been sponsors since 2003 when it began in as a Spring Festival event.

“The audience loves the contest because they get to hear such wonderful talent each night and actually get to be the judges of the competitions,” Culver said.

Culver said she is surprised each year to see the excellent talent in Lehigh. There are a panel of judges who critique the talent each night, but don’t look for rough criticism.

“The Spring Idol competition is a real crowed pleaser at the festival and draws hundreds many nights.

The Junior Spring Festival Idol contest is for youngsters between the ages of 10 and 15, Culver said. The Spring Festival Idol contest is for ages 16 and over.

The deadline for entries is March 6, 2009 and Culver noted that the date is approaching fast.

“It’s so easy to go online and fill out the form,” she said.

“We want the Spring Festival to be as much fun as it has been every year and I am sure we are going to have some great talent out there. If you have applied in years past, you can do it again,” she said.

For more information, contact Culver at 369-1168.

“You can’t beat this. It’s a free except for a small donation to park your car. That’s not a bad deal to see a lot of great talent in Lehigh,” she said.