The Central Mississippi Fair in Kosciusko will host the Mississippi State Final of the 28th Annual Colgate Country Showdown, America’s largest country music talent search. The show will open with Nash Street, the 2008 National Winner, and will be held on Aug. 22 at 6 p.m.

Contestants at this year’s Colgate Country Showdown Mississippi State Final represent radio stations: WBKN Brookhaven, WJDR Columbia, WMSI Jackson, WCKK Kosciusko, WBBN Laurel-Hattiesburg, KJLO Monroe LA, WRJW Picayune, WWMS Tupelo, and WBYP Yazoo City.

The Central Mississippi Fair runs from Aug. 19-22. Admission to the Fair is $4, or $5 will include the Nash Street show that follows the Showdown. Nash Street is a high-energy bluegrass band that has been opening for name acts around the country. For additional information on the Central Mississippi Fair, call (662) 289-2981 or log on to www.kadcorp.org/fair.asp.

Annually, more than 450 radio stations across the country sponsor local contests. Winners advance to their state events where prizes include $1,000 and the opportunity to compete in one of five regional events. Regional winners receive an all-expense-paid trip to the televised National Final hosted by LeAnn Rimes on the stage of the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville to compete for $100,000 and the coveted title of Best New Act in Country Music.

Each year, more than 50,000 artists compete throughout the U.S. Past local, state and regional winners include Martina McBride, Garth Brooks, Miranda Lambert, Neal McCoy, Sara Evans, Brad Paisley and Billy Ray Cyrus. For more information about the Colgate Country Showdown and how to enter their national sweepstakes to win a LeAnn Rimes autographed guitar or a trip to the National Final in Nashville, visit www.colgatecountryshowdown.com.