By Allison Peck
The Nebraska State Fair and Vision Productions, Inc. celebrated the winners of the 2026 Galaxy of Stars® Talent Search Finals, held Sunday, August 30, at 6 p.m. on the ACP Park Stage during the annual State Fair.
The Nebraska State Fair and Vision Productions, Inc. have partnered for 20 years to bring the Galaxy of Stars Talent Search Finals to the state fair. Since its beginning in 1993, the talent search has grown into Nebraska’s largest talent competition, featuring singers, dancers, instrumentalists and variety acts of all ages.
Nineteen acts qualified for the state finals through preliminary contests, including the Online Virtual Video Contest judged by industry professionals in Nashville, Tennessee; the Saline County Talent Search in Crete, presented by the Crete Lions Club and Blue River Arts Council; and Lookin’ For A Star, presented by Platte Valley Events in Columbus.
Olivia Vanderford of Lincoln, performing under the name Nova, earned the top overall honor as the MEGA STAR, receiving the highest score among all contestants. Vanderford also received the SHINING STAR award for the highest score in star quality, recognizing the contestant with the “shine factor.”
Jayde Dorsey of Omaha, performing as Shooting Star, received the SUPERSTAR award, which was voted on by the contestants as the overall best performance.
The People’s Choice award, determined through online public voting on the Nebraska State Fair website, went to The Riley Morgan Band of Grand Island. The group, featuring Riley Morgan, Nolan Steinke, Brenden Brown and Matthew Chaney, earned first place. Bryan Jaimes of Crete, a dancer, took second place, while Alessandra Valencia of Grand Island, also a dancer, placed third.
In the Comets age division for contestants 12 and under, Shane Parde of Adams earned first place for guitar, receiving $250 and a trophy. Elsie Ebben of Lincoln placed second in vocals, receiving $150 and a trophy. Parde also took third place for a vocal and guitar performance, receiving $100 and a trophy.
The Shooting Stars division, for contestants ages 13 to 18, saw Alessandra Valencia of Grand Island take first place in dance, earning $250 and a trophy. Jayde Dorsey of Omaha placed second in vocals, receiving $150 and a trophy, while Bryan Jaimes of Crete placed third in dance, earning $100 and a trophy.
In the Novas division for contestants ages 19 and over, Olivia Vanderford of Lincoln took first place in vocals, receiving $250 and a trophy. The Riley Morgan Band placed second in the vocal and instrumental group category, earning $150 and a trophy. Mitch Heavican of Rogers placed third in vocals, receiving $100 and a trophy.
Vanderford also received the Overall Vocalist award, presented by Vision Productions, Inc. and Wynnesong Records of Nashville. The honor comes with a Nashville recording package valued at $4,500, including a production consultation, national song search, studio musicians, background singers, and production, mixing and mastering of a recording.
For additional information about the Galaxy of Stars Talent Search, visit www.galaxyofstarstalentsearch.com or follow Galaxy of Stars on Facebook at www.facebook.com/galaxyofstarstalentsearch. To schedule an interview or request photos, contact Wynne Adams at 615-495-7375.