Time Running Out in the Search for the Next Lehigh Valley Idol

Bethlehem, Pennsylavnia, June 8 -- The time to submit videos for the Summer Session of Lehigh Valley Idol is about to come to a close. Video submission, which opened on May 17, will end at 11:59 a.m. on June 14, and online voting will begin at noon on that same day.

Lehigh Valley Idol, a Bethlehem, Pennsylvania-based program for developing and displaying talents in the Lehigh Valley area, recently changed their formatting. For the first time, this year's competition has been divided into four seasonal preliminaries with a finale in December.

All entries for the preliminaries must be submitted online in video format and posted for the public to vote on. Voting will run through June 28 and the three most popular entries in each of eight different categories will advance onto the live competition for the Summer Session. The categories are 12 and Under Vocal, 12 and Under Other, 13-17 Vocal, 13-17 Other, 18-49 Vocal, 18-49 Other, 50 and Over Vocal, and 50 and Over Other.

As of 9 p.m. on June 8, 2008, statistics posted by Lehigh Valley Idol showed that there were only thirty-six total entries, making the odds of reaching the live competition for the Summer Session very high. Based upon the entries at that time, some of the entrants in the younger divisions would be guaranteed to reach the live competition. Online video entry and registration to vote can both be completed at www.lehighvalleyidol.com. The registration fee for competition entry is $10, and voting costs $10 per ten votes. Voting is unlimited and has no geographic limitations.

The live competition for the Summer Session will take place on July 20 at the Historic Hotel Bethlehem in downtown Bethlehem. The winners for each division at this event will be awarded cash prizes and invited back the Historic Hotel Bethlehem on December 10 to compete in the Lehigh Valley Idol Finals where even more cash prizes will be awarded. In total, Lehigh Valley Idol stands to give out over $7,000 in prizes throughout the year 2008.

Lehigh Valley Idol, which is currently in its fourth year, is not affiliated in any way with American Idol or the Fox Network and differs from American Idol in that there is no negative criticism given to contestants by judges at the events. Lehigh Valley idol is also a "G" rated program and is open to singers, musicians, comedians, and magicians alike.

For more information on Lehigh Valley Idol, you can visit www.lehighvalleyidol.com or call 610-984-3221.