Congrats to our 2025 winners!

RULES AND REGULATIONS

SELECTION OF THE TOP 8 CONTESTANTS

A selection committee representing the Taste of Lawrence Rising Stars Contest (TOLRSC) shall review all audition submissions by each entrant to determine which entrants will perform at the live show on July 4, 2026.

For the purposes of this Contest and the awarding of prizes, these rules shall govern in all respects and the decision of the TOLRSC representatives shall be final.

The Top 8 Contestants will be informed of the Selection Committee’s decision by Friday, June 5, 2026.

The Contest is open to anyone over the age of 5 who are residents of Ontario. Any entrants below the age of 18 must have the consent of his/her parent or legal guardian to submit their personal information in order to enter the Contest. In the absence of such parental or legal guardian consent, the entrant will not be able to enter the Contest. The parent/guardian must sign a declaration of compliance with the Contest rules and a release in order to receive the prize components. All information obtained for this Contest will be used only for the purposes of conducting the Contest.

By entering this Contest, you agree to attend a photo shoot and live performance. Note: parents or legal guardians will not be allowed backstage during the live rehearsal or performance.

GENERAL RULES

• By participating in this Contest, you agree to abide by the rules and the decisions of the TOLRSC in awarding prizes. Decisions shall be final and binding upon all contestants.

• Contestants who have not complied with these rules are subject to disqualification.

• TOLRSC reserves the right to modify the rules, before or during the Contest, in its sole discretion, in any way at any time it deems necessary or appropriate without materially affecting the terms and conditions of this Contest. Interpretation of these Contest rules by TOLRSC shall be final.

• Personal information collected during the course of this Contest shall be used by TOLRSC and its authorized representatives solely for the purposes of conducting the Contest and awarding prizes and will not be used or disclosed for any other purpose unless required by law.

• The Grand Prize is not transferable and not redeemable for cash, and will not be extended under any circumstances and must be accepted as offered without substitution.

• Entrants are not eligible to participate in this Contest if they are employees of the TOLRSC, a member on the TOLRSC board of directors, a member of the talent selection committee or a judge.

• By participating in this Contest, the Category Finalists and Grand Prize Winner agree that their name may be used in any and all forms of media, without any further compensation by TOLRSC and waives all rights (including moral rights) with respect to printed, broadcast and other forms of publicity.

AUDITION AND LIVE PERFORMANCE

• One microphone will be supplied for your performance at the live show together with a PA and lighting. If you have other requirements we must be notified in advance; such as additional microphones or cables for instruments.

• Live performance should be between 3 – 5 min long

• Participants must provide their own music, instruments, or props.

• All music or performance content must be clean, family-friendly, and free of offensive language or gestures. 

• Recorded music and/or soundtracks must be provided in an MP3 format.

• All music files must be saved as: your first and last name. Email your music file to: info@kandymedia.ca by June 19, 2026. Please include in your email: your first and last name (stage name if you have one) phone number, and preferred e-mail address; in case we need to reach you about your track(s).

• Your submission video and talent competition track can not contain any lead vocals (we need to hear your voice live).

ATTIRE – REQUIREMENTS

• Attire must be respectable and age appropriate.

• Entrants are requested to dress to impress

• Entrants are required to be camera ready, (hair, makeup and wardrobe).

ADDITIONAL – REQUIREMENTS

• Contestants are required to attend sound check (live rehearsal).

• Contestants will require final approval by the rising stars organizers.

• All recorded music must be submitted for final approval, by June 19, 2026.

• Changes to online submissions will not be allowed. Make sure your audition performance is what you will be performing for the live show.

• All contestants will be required to sign a photo release and a liability waiver upon live performance.

JUDGING AT LIVE SHOW

Contestants will be judged on the following during show on July 4, 2026.

• Overall Performance

• Audience Response

• Stage Presence

• Originality

• Adhering to time Limit

Judges decision is final.

PRIZES

There will be one Grand Prize and one Runner up Prize

Grand prize: $1,000 + main stage performance slot

Runner up: $500 + main stage performance slot

All finalists will receive:

• Certificate of participation

• Professional photos

Prizes are not transferable or convertible to cash and must be accepted as awarded.

TOLRSC is not responsible for incorrect and/or inaccurate entry, registration, entry information or any factor which may affect a person’s ability to participate in the Contest. This includes but is not limited to: human error, lost or misdirected entries for whatever reason, technical malfunctions, lost/delayed/corrupted data transmission, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, line failures of any telephone network, computer equipment, software or any combination thereof, any inability to access the site, or damage to a user’s system occasioned by participating in the Contest, and entries which fail to fully comply with these rules and regulations.