263 Marketplace Sing-Off Crowns Winner

concluded Saturday after several weeks of afternoon competitions at the York Road market.

Griffin Ripley, 16, won the competition and will received a $500 check.

The humble winner said, "It's a pleasure to be performing against some tough competition."

Griffin, a La Salle College High School student, has been singing since he was in the sixth grade and plans to study, either, biomedical engineering or music in college.

Second place fell to Hailea Yocum, who won the crowd over with her rendition of Céline Dion's hit "My Heart Will Go On." Yocum received a $300 check.

Little Olivia Morris took the third place spot and won $150.

The contest began with 75 people in February and after Saturday afternoon contest the group was whittled down to the 10 who competed for the top three spots on Saturday, the market's Marketing and Events Coordinator Sven Hellwig said.

263 Marketplace Sing-Off was born out of the ideas of the management team and vendors.

"We've received lots of positive responses," said Hellwig.

The response has been so positive the marketplace will be holding a second contest starting in May, he added.

One thing that will be different will be the amount of prize money distributed. "There will be more prize money," Hellwig said with a smile.

Video of Saturday's performances will be posted on 263 Marketplace's Facebook, website and Twitter accounts in the coming days. Also, Hellwig said, locals can use the sites to find out more on upcoming events at the bustling marketplace.