In Video: Talent Showcased in Northville Town Square

It was a record-setting year for the third annual contest held in Northville's town square on Friday night.

More than 20 young performers, a new high for the competition, took to the stage to share their skills with a record crowd. Hundreds filled the town square as the sun set on the cool-temperatured night to hear singers, guitarists, pianists, cellists and more. The winners were an Irish dance group called The Belles of Belfast City.

Event co-organizer Laurie Jarski, of , said she is pleased to have seen grow so much and foresees more growth.

"We'd like to have preliminaries in three different cities," she said. Specifically, organizers would like to see preliminaries in Kalamazoo, Bay City and Northville.

"We're hoping to build it even further each year but maintain that community feel," Jarski said.

For the performers, Jarski said there is a great benefit, aside from the $1,500 in cash and prizes.

"I think it's, for junior and younger performers, a great opportunity for them to get up on stage," she said. "Usually they're not performing in front of lots of people."

Singer and guitarist Michael Martin, 14, who sang Bob Marley's I Don't Want to Wait in Vain For Your Love, enjoys playing for a crowd but that's not to say it doesn't make him nervous.

"I think it's always good to be a little nervous," he said. "You can't get up there all cocky and stuff. You gotta know that you gotta put on a good performance for them. So I am nervous. I'm not going to deny it. But once you get into it, once you know you've got 'em, the nerves kind of fall."

For more seasoned performers, Jarski said, it "helps them grow as musicians."

Talent for the Title Award Winners

The Belles of Belfast City: Kaitlin Nelson, Shannon Kilpatrick, Maggie Donnelly, Catherine Smith, Erin Ayalp, Maggie Malaney