TULARE – Each year, an estimated 100,000 individuals from 65 countries attend the World Ag Expo at the International Agri-Center in Tulare. And for the third year in a row, three Tulare County residents or Expo exhibitors will be selected to sing the Star-Spangled Banner at the three-day event.
World Ag Expo 2025 takes place on Feb. 11-13, 2025. This year is the 58th edition of the event. An estimated 30,000 visitors per day show up for the agricultural event of the year, which is billed as the largest annual agricultural show of its kind.
For three years running, organizers have held a National Anthem Competition. This is an opportunity for singers, 16 and older, to showcase their vocal stylings. The contest is open to Tulare County residents and 2025 World Ag Expo exhibitors – an exhibitor does not have to be a Tulare County resident to participate.
The entry period is now open and runs through Jan. 6, 2025. Contestants must submit a video of an a cappella performance which must be three minutes or less. Videos may be submitted to bit.ly/WAE25NationalAnthemApp. All videos must be received by 11:59 p.m. on Jan. 6.
Three winners will be chosen to perform either on Feb. 11, 12 or 13. Contest winners must be available to perform on any of those three days. According to Expo officials, winners will sing the Star-Spangled Banner in a room, not in front of a live audience. Their voices will be broadcast all over the Expo grounds.
Officials have not kept tallies on the number of people who have entered in prior years but did say that entries are climbing each year.
