LEWISTON — Maine Event Comedy’s Tightest Five comedy contest returns to Bear Bones Beer at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 18.

In the second preliminary round, Mark Turcotte will host 10 hopefuls as they perform their best five minutes of original material. Five will advance to the semifinals. Along with bragging rights, the winner’s prize package includes paid work, professional headshots, and craft beer.

The prelim will include: Marc Belanger of Auburn; Leah Douglass and Davey Getchell of Westbrook; Chris Kinback of South Boston; Scott MacNeil of N. Billerica, Massachusetts; Will Martin of Boston; Julie Poulin of Monmouth; Joanna Rapoza of Glastonbury, Connecticut; Ben Roberts of Leeds; and Ellen Sugarman of Brookline, Massachusetts.

Portland’s Kevin Neales will be the evening’s featured comedian. Neales has worn a hat while slinging jokes at the world famous Comedy Studio in Cambridge, Massaschusetts, the Maine Comedy Festival and The Ice House in Pasadena. He was a runner-up in Portland’s Funniest Professional contest and has worked with nationally touring comedians Mike Birbiglia, Juston McKinney and Tom Cotter.

The semifinals will take place Nov. 15, and the finals on Dec. 20. A comedy open-mic will follow each round.

The show is free and for ages 21-plus. Bear Bones Beer is at 43 Lisbon St., Lewiston. FMI: call 207-513-0742 or email maineeventcomedy@gmail.com.

Comedian Kevin Neales will be the featured comedian at Maine Event Comedy’s Tightest Five show at Bare Bones Beer in Lewiston on Thursday, Oct. 18.