LEWISTON — Maine’s Got Talent is scheduled to return Saturday, April 22, to the Franco Center, 46 Cedar St.

The event, modeled after “America’s Got Talent” and “American Idol,” features eight musical performers from Maine competing for cash prizes in front of a live audience.

A pre-show reception with cash bar and light hors d’oeuvres will begin at 6 p.m. downstairs in Heritage Hall at the Franco Center.

The show is set to begin at 7 p.m. upstairs in the Performance Hall at the center.

The ninth annual event will showcase solo artists and full bands, and original pieces and covers.

Each performer is judged on a scale of one to 10 from three local celebrity judges, as well as from audience participation and feedback. The 2023 celebrity judges are local musician and past Maine’s Got Talent performer Thomas Doucette, Celeste from the WBLM Morning Show, and Joe Philippon of the Lewiston Police Department.

Local comedian and copywriter Molly McGill hosts.

Maine’s Got Talent is the annual fundraising event for the Lewiston-based non-profit Sandcastle Clinical & Educational Services, providing a full range of clinical and educational services to individuals of all ages and abilities, including early childhood education.

Ticket holders are invited to attend the reception before the event. There also will be an intermission halfway through the show featuring cash bar and light food for sale. Tickets are on sale online at sandcastlemaine.org or through Eventbrite.

Check out other upcoming area events!