Finalists selected for Subway, State Fair songwriting contest

Raleigh, N.C. — Five aspiring songwriters will compete next week at the North Carolina State Fair in the Subway “ $5 Footlong Song Challenge.”

The State Fair and Subway will host the contest on Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. at the Waterfall Stage.

Since September, contestants have submitted original lyrics online. All lyrics, which go with prerecorded music in genres including hip-hop, rap, country and bluegrass, needed to include the N.C. State Fair’s theme, “Whole Lotta Happy,” and Subway’s phrase “$5 Footlong.”

Semi-finalists auditioned at the State Fairgrounds on Saturday and five finalists were selected:

• Kris Thomas, a 27-year-old furniture salesman from Greenville

• Austin Moss, a 17-year-old North Carolina State University transfer student from Raleigh

• Nicole Griffin, 22, and Lindsay Barfield, 24, who will compete as a duo. Both from Raleigh, Griffin is an assistant producer on the TLC reality program, “Jon & Kate Plus Eight;” Barfield works for the State Employees' Credit Union.

• Paulette Hernandez, a 51-year-old mother, grandmother and college student from Raleigh, who is an operational manager for the North Carolina Department of Labor

• Emily Dionne, a 24-year-old make-up artist from Raleigh.

The grand prize winner will receive a $500 Subway gift card and two tickets to see “American Idol” finalist Anoop Desai’s concert at the State Fair on Thurs., Oct. 22.

The second place winner will receive a $250 Subway gift card; and the other finalists will receive a Subway Party Platter.

Those attending the contest finale at the Waterfall Stage on Tuesday will be eligible for a special raffle.