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.





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