Anne Goedtke wins State Fair Talent Contest

by
Joseph
Goedtke

Special to the Advance-Press

“I won! And I have a GIANT CHECK!” exclaimed Springfield native, Anne Goedtke, as she emerged from backstage of the State Fair grandstand with an enormous smile on her face.  Anne played “Julie-O” on her cello in the 44th Minnesota State Fair Amateur Talent Contest and won the open division grand champion prize of $10,000, along with a year’s worth of Jack’s Pizza. 

She was one of 10 open division finalists to compete against each other in the grandstand; there was stiff competition through the entire show. “It was pretty amazing to see, just, thousands of people out there,” she said during a phone interview, “but I didn’t feel very nervous, since I’ve been playing that song for awhile.” Master of Ceremonies Tim Dybevik lightheartedly commented after Anne’s performance: “As they say, there’s always room for cello!”  The awards portion came, and the stage orchestra played a drum roll before each winner was announced. First the third place winner, then the second, and finally Anne as first.  “I just couldn’t believe it,” she said.  “My heart was pounding right before they called my name!”