CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — The Feast of the Flowering Moon announced a new singing competition, The Voice of Southern Ohio, set to take place during the festival’s Memorial Day weekend celebration May 22–24, 2026, in Chillicothe.
The competition is open to solo vocalists ages 13 to 18 from across the region. Judges will select 15 contestants from submitted auditions to perform on the festival’s opening night, with five performers eliminated each evening. The final contestants will close out the festival Sunday, May 24, 2026, with winners announced following the final performances.
The grand prize includes $750 and a professional recording session with RecW, one of the competition’s sponsors. McDonald’s is also listed as a sponsor of the event.
This year’s competition is tied to America 250 – Ross County, Ohio and its monthly theme, “Ohio Creates,” an initiative highlighting innovation, artistry and cultural contributions from communities across the state as the nation prepares to mark America’s 250th anniversary.
Admission to the festival and all entertainment, including the singing competition, is free. The festival will also feature live entertainment, Native American dancing and drumming, and craft vendors. Interested contestants can find application details at www.FeastoftheFloweringMoon.org. The deadline for submissions is April 30, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.