ParkFest to include karaoke contest hosted by PB & Jam

In this week's edition of ParkFest two folk acts will be featured along with a Karaoke Madness contest hosted by PB & Jam at the Robe-Ann Park bandshell.

The karaoke contest will kick off ParkFest at 6:30 p.m. All ages are welcome to participate in the contest, which includes two prizes for the "Judges Choice" award as well as the "People's Choice" award.

Contestants should report at 5 p.m. to sign up for karaoke. There will thousands of songs from which contestants can choose.

The judges include Sue Bruck from Studio B, John Fischer from WREB radio and Jared Jernagan of the Banner Graphic. Judges will score contestants based on their stage presence and performance.

Audience members will be invited to vote for the People's Choice award by placing dollar bills into their favorite contestants' donation containers. Voting will open after the last performance is concluded, while PB & Jam performs. All proceeds will go toward the Splash Park project.

PB & Jam is composed of John Bean on fiddle-vocals, Janet (Hardwick) Gaston on mandolin-vocals, Jamie France on keyboard, vocals and upright bass and James "Figgy" Hardwick on guitar and vocals.

The group is influenced by upbeat, high-energy family-style music with a hint of comedy and folk with country and bluegrass thrown in.