Event chair and coordinator Meghan Kelsey, a Warren native, explained that in previous years the event was held during the Warren County Fourth of July Celebration at Betts Park. Since its debut in 2022, WGT has become a popular part of the Independence Day festivities. However, for its fifth — or quinquennial — anniversary, the show will move to Pellegrino’s Creekside Pavilion, specifically the Cathedral of Rock on Conewango Avenue in Warren.

Kelsey said the move was inspired by a desire to grow the event while also supporting other local businesses and community events. She reached out to Pat Hackett, organizer of the annual Warrenstock event held at the Cathedral of Rock each July 2, to share her vision for WGT at the new Creekside Pavilion venue. Hackett, who coined the name “Cathedral of Rock,” supported Kelsey’s vision of bringing quality music and entertainment to the community, as this is a shared vision for Warrenstock as well. Warrenstock features Pat Hackett and the Allegheny River Monsters alongside numerous local musicians and performers and attracts crowds of approximately 5,000 attendees annually.

Kelsey hopes Warren’s Got Talent will continue evolving into a memorable annual tradition for Warren residents and visitors alike.

To celebrate the show’s fifth anniversary, this year’s theme will be “Red Carpet Rock N’ Roll,” inspired by the Cathedral of Rock venue and designed to create an energetic, celebratory atmosphere for the milestone event.

The Warren’s Got Talent judges include Joe Glarner, Sarah Monticue and Dale Haight.

The competition will take place over two weekends, beginning Saturday, Sept. 5th, during Labor Day weekend, with the finale scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 12th. Both shows will run from 7 to 10 p.m.

“I think splitting the show over two weekends gives contestants more time to prepare and deliver an even stronger performance,” Kelsey said. “Having that week in between allows finalists time to polish their finale acts and really bring their best to the stage.”

Kelsey added that holding the event around Labor Day weekend may also encourage travelers and visitors to attend while benefiting Pellegrino’s Creekside Pavilion and surrounding local businesses.

The idea for Warren’s Got Talent was born in 2022 after Kelsey joined the Warren County Fourth of July Committee. The event was created with the goal of bringing the community together through music and performance while encouraging support for local businesses and the arts.

“Supporting local businesses keeps our town alive and helps foster camaraderie within the community,” Kelsey said. “The goal has always been to create an event that people can participate in and enjoy together.”

Meghan Kelsey’s grandfather, Billy Lehman Sr, far right, performed as lead guitarist in the late-1950s rock-and-roll band Billy Lehman & The Rock-Itts before later stepping into music management and playing on the Grand Ole Opry stage.

Warren’s Got Talent was originally co-chaired by John Hyde, another member of the Warren County Fourth of July Organization. Hyde and Kelsey launched the inaugural event in 2022 after securing The Music Conservatory as a major sponsor.

The Music Conservatory has remained a key part of the competition by donating prize packages and serving as the professional judging panel. Contestants are evaluated on vocal technique, performance quality, stage presence, and overall showmanship.

The judging panel includes Music Conservatory owner Joseph Glarner, whose extensive music industry background includes work as Chenoa Music’s East Coast musical director for the “Stars of America Tour” featuring finalists from “American Idol.” Glarner has also worked as a music producer, studio owner, educator, composer, and ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) affiliated writer and publisher.

Beyond organizing the event, Kelsey said music has played a deeply personal role in her own life. She writes and performs music with her guitarist Ryan Lundgren, under the name “Malachi,” which she said is rooted in her Christian faith and personal experiences overcoming hardship and trauma.

Kelsey’s music provides a means of awareness about domestic violence, using lived experience to share her story of finding the light of Christ in some of the darkest moments of her life. “I experienced a lot of darkness in domestic violence, and music became an outlet for healing for me,” Kelsey said. “My faith and my relationship with Christ transformed that pain into something I could use to be a light and to encourage others.”

Kelsey said her desire to continue growing Warren’s Got Talent comes not only from a passion for music, but also from a desire to give back to the community and inspire others through faith and perseverance.

“Music can leave an impact on people whether they realize it or not,” she said. “Sometimes a message in a song stays in someone’s heart long after the performance is over.”

Outside of WGT, Kelsey works as a Medical Receptionist at Horner Family Practice and is also a part of helping individuals who are struggling with addiction, mental health disorders and trauma through Overcomers Anonymous, a faith-based recovery group held Thursdays at Praise Fellowship Church in Russell. She also occasionally performs with her son, Skylar Martin, with their latest duo performance having taken place in March at the Warren County Christian School’s Worship Night Fundraiser.

Kelsey has also competed in Chautauqua’s Got Talent at the Spire Theater in Jamestown, New York, over the last three years. She noted that while both competitions are talent-based, each uses a different judging format.

“Chautauqua’s Got Talent is audience-voted with professional judges offering critique and mentorship, while Warren’s Got Talent focuses heavily on technical judging by music professionals,” Kelsey explained. “Both approaches are effective in their own ways.”

WGT also incorporates guest judges into the competition each season. Typically, one guest judge is a sponsor, while another is the previous year’s winner.

Last year’s WGT winner, Dewayne Moore, also went on to win Chautauqua’s Got Talent during the 2025 season. “Dewayne is an incredibly talented artist,” Kelsey said. “Winning both competitions, despite their completely different judging styles, was an impressive accomplishment.” Moore recently released his debut single, “Life In My Eyes,” which is now available on major streaming platforms.

Music has long been part of Kelsey’s family history. Her father, Billy Lehman Jr., is a drummer, while her grandfather, Billy Lehman Sr., performed as lead guitarist in the late-1950s rock-and-roll band Billy Lehman & The Rock-Itts before later stepping into music management and playing on the Grand Ole Opry stage.

Kelsey said music has remained a major part of her life and her relationship with her son, Skylar. “My son picked up my guitar when he was seven years old and immediately started repeating melodies he heard,” she said. “That’s when I realized he truly had a gift.”

The pair eventually wrote and recorded music together, and Kelsey said performing alongside her son continues to be one of the most meaningful aspects of her musical journey.

Kelsey also credited members of the WGT planning committee for helping the event succeed over the years, including Nina Haskins, Carl Kelsey, Chad Lang, and John Hyde.

“Nina has been wonderful at helping contestants feel comfortable and supported backstage,” Kelsey said. “A lot of this event is about encouraging people and helping them feel confident on stage.”

Contestants have ranged in age from 5 to 70 years old, with the competition typically featuring up to 20 performers each season.

Although the event is being held in September this year, Warren’s Got Talent remains an official Warren County Fourth of July Organization event, with the organization serving as the primary sponsor. Kelsey said committee members dedicate countless volunteer hours each year to organizing the parade, fireworks, Independence Day festivities, and community events like WGT.

Additional sponsors for this year’s event include The Music Conservatory, B&N Trophies & Awards, All Image Graphics, Pellegrino’s Creekside Pavilion, Russell Roller Rink, Beefy Comedy, Arona, Jones Chevrolet, Skylar Martin Music, Malachi Music, Mack’s Transport, and The MaW Filmworks Company. There are additional potential sponsors that have not yet been confirmed.

Registration for WGT: Drop the Mic – Red Carpet Rock N’ Roll opens Friday, July 24, and closes at midnight on Friday, Aug. 28. Registration forms and additional event details will be posted on the Warren’s Got Talent: Drop the Mic Facebook page. For more information, email warrensgottalent@gmail.com