Colorful lights illuminated the stage, people of all ages were dressed in crazy costumes and everyone was waiting in their seats to see the talents of San Marcos.
Thursday, Nov. 8, at 6 p.m. the San Marcos activity center hosted a community wide talent show revealing the hidden talents of the city.
Four students in a Texas State advanced programming class partnered with the San Marcos Parks and Recreation department for a semester-long community project.
The idea behind the project, San Marcos Has Talent, was to give back to San Marcos by hosting a fun event for everyone.
Ashlie Watson, recreation administration senior, was one of the four students who planned the event. She said the group originally wanted to do an event for the special needs community because each person is passionate about involving people with special needs in events.
However, after the students paired up with the youth coordinators for Parks and Recreation, they decided to host a youth-based community talent show. Ultimately, they decided to open the event up to the community as a whole.
“We wanted to turn this into more than just a talent show,” Watson said.
Catherine Marler, youth services coordinator for Parks and Recreation said she was eager to incorporate the community in the students’ event.
“I think this is a great new event the students have been working really hard on, so it’s a great opportunity for the community to come together and for people to showcase their talents,” Marler said.
The students hosting the event contacted the Hays County Food Bank and collected non-perishable food items to serve at the talent show.
Auditions for the talent show were held Oct. 30, and performers had the opportunity to win prizes including a weekend retreat valued at $350, or visa gift cards valued $50-$150.
San Marcos Has Talent included twelve acts with a variety of talents. From gifted singers to daddy-daughter duos, the performers were of a range of ages, but a younger crowd overall.
The father and daughter duo, Derrick David Bryant and Shekinah Bryant performed a comedy and musical skit on the “Get Back Up Again” song from the “Trolls” soundtrack.
“I’m so excited to team up with my daughter, that’s what I really love,” Derrick David Bryant said.
Three judges volunteered for the event: a Texas State student, a professor and a city event coordinator.
“I know a lot of times schools will host talent shows, but I know there’s really not a lot of opportunities for other people in the community to do something like this that’s fun and laidback,” Marler said.
With a great turnout from friends and families of the performers, as well as the San Marcos community, the talent show turned out to be a great place for performers to showcase their talents.