PUYALLUP FAIR; PUYALLUP, WA
Puyallup Fair Idol revealed

By Sue Sawyer

Yes, ballads do win, as Heather Ruiz from Puyallup's Harvester Restaurant found out by collecting the $2,000 grand prize at the Puyallup Fair’s Showplace Stage Sunday, September 25th. To Heather’s surprise, she beat out the 18 hopefuls after surviving weeks of tense competition.
Crowd pleaser, Rob Sparks commented to the audience, "Do you really want your daughters dating me?" as he tore off his robes and launched into his famous "Metallica/ACDC" one-man-show spectacle.
Debbie Myre, an Evergreen Idol winner and Spring Puyallup Fair second, singing before Rob, professionally rasped out her hard rock selection. She's most likely the only woman in the Northwest that knows how to do it better than Janis Joplin.
Second place winner, Anthony Brown's "Unchained Melody" built to a crescendo by song's end, wowing the crowd by nailing it’s ultrahigh notes.
Tony Bridges, who sang "One Last Cry" is 29 and hails from Lake Stevens. He’s been a favorite contestant from the "Gimmie The Mic" TV show, as well as several Idol contests around the Puget Sound. However, he says he's keeping his day job at King County's Metro Transit.
Paul Tilley, retired from the military's singing elite corps, crossed the mountains from Yakima to delight the audience with his "Walking In Memphis."
The kids put on one heck of a show too. Half-pint cowboy, Dakota Newman, tipping his oversized hat, walked off once again with first prize for the 1-8 group. Kara Luchau reigned in the 9-12 category and Jasmine Coats, the 13-15 singers.
Cortney Hollinbeck, winner in the older child group, looks like she's right on the heels of the famous "Liza" strutting in top hat, tails and cane through her steller performance of "New York, New York."
One particular family had two contestants making it to the finals; Jaidacyn Madrigal, who placed in the 1-8 group singing "Let Her Rip" and her sister, Brijonnay, competing in the 9-12 talent perfomed "Candy." Both girls summed it up, "We wouldn't miss this Fair no matter what!" The sisters said they were home schooled and are active in soccer and gymnastics. Mom was a professional entertainer and featured singer for several popular bands through the 1980’s in Seattle. "Now I am living through my kids" she says. It's obvious from the girls' love of the spotlight and talent.
The Everett based Karaoke and Lighting Store’s hardworking staff, collective talent and the many judges are credited with keeping the week-long show on target, providing many memorable karaoke moments for the 2005 Fair.
Following is a complete list of the week’s champions:

FINALS WINNERS

SEPTEMBER 25:

Adults
1st - Heather Ruiz (Harvester)
2nd - Anthony Brown (Pacific Lanes)
3rd - Amber Pizl (Harvester)

Kids Ages 1-8
1st - Dakota Newman
2nd - Jaidacyn Madrigal
3rd - Sidney Paulson

Kids Ages 9-12
1st-Kira Luchau
2nd-Jade Swepston
3rd-Brianna Zuniga

Kids Ages 13-15
1st-Jasmine Coates
2nd-Kelsey Villanueva
3rd-Victoria Knight

Kids Ages 16-20
1st-Courtney Hollinbeck
2nd-Casey Raiha
3rd-Nicole Manning

SEPT. 24 WINNERS:

Adults
1st-Debbie Myre (Pacific Lanes)
2nd-Tony Bridges (Tulalip Casino)
3rd-Paul Proios (Atlantic Crossing)

Kids
1st-Courtney Hollenbeck
2nd-Nicole Manning
3rd-Marissa Hathcock

SEPT. 23 WINNERS:

Adults
1st-Heather Ruiz (Harvester)
2nd-Damika Foster (Tulalip Casino)
3rd-Sharon Weinberg (Damon's B&G)

Kids
1st-Kelsey Villanueva
2nd-Brittany Craig
3rd-Jasmine Coates

SEPT. 22 WINNERS:

Adults
1st-Brittney O'Neil (Damon's B&G)
2nd-Erika Horn (Royal Bear)
3rd-Rob Sparks (Riverside)

Kids
1st-Brijonnay Madrigal
2nd-Keira Verlee Furman
3rd-Kira Luchau

SEPT. 21 WINNERS:

Adults
1st-Anthony Brown (Pacific Lanes)
2nd-Sandi Jackson (Royal Bear)
3rd-Jana Johnson (Eagles)

Kids
1st-Brianna Zuniga
2nd-Rachel Delacour
3rd-Jade Swepston

SEPT. 20 WINNERS:

Adults
1st-Carry Robey (Tulalip Casino)
2nd-Amber Pizl (Harvester)
3rd-Quyi Steplight (Harvester)

Kids
1st-Victoria Knight
2nd-Danica Esau

SEPT. 19 WINNERS:

Adults
1st-Bryce King (Brickyard)
2nd-Linda Richie (Thunderbird)
3rd-Chrissy Alexander (Royal Bear)

Kids
1st-Sidney Paulson
2nd-Jaidacyn Madrigal
3rd-Dakota Newman