You Could Sing the National Anthem at The New York State Fair

Oh, say can you sing the National Anthem? You could be singing it at the Great New York State Fair!

For the first time ever, the Fair is looking for singers to be the very first musical performers of each day.

It's the "Star Spangled Challenge" contest. They're looking for New Yorkers to sing or play the National Anthem live on one of the Fair's 12 days. The Fair used to play a recorded version of the anthem before the daily opening of the building and exhibits.

This contest aims to find 12 people to perform the song twice in one day: once at 9:30 a.m. at Chevy Court to open the Fair, and again at 1 p.m. in the Toyota Coliseum to kick-off the afternoon equestrian competitions.

You should videotape yourself singing or performing instrumentally the first verse of "The Star Spangled Banner."  Tapes should not exceed three minutes.  There are several ways to enter the contest.

Upload videos to the contest site on the Fair's Facebook page.

You can email your entries to newyorkstatefair@agriculture.ny.gov. Drop off entries on a DVD at the State Fair administrative office or mail them to the Fair at 581 State Fair Blvd., Syracuse NY, 13209.

Entries must be uploaded, emailed, or postmarked by midnight, July 21.  All entries must include your name, address, and phone number.

All videos will be posted on the Fair's Facebook page through August 7 for a public vote to select the 12 winners. This year's Fair runs from August 27 to September 7.