Revved Up Kids Presents their Big Show 2022

Peachtree Corners nonprofit holds talent competition and gains support.

On Oct. 23, nearly 200 people attended the Revved Up Kids’ Big Show at the Red Clay Music Foundry in Duluth. The Peachtree Corners-based nonprofit is dedicated to the prevention of sexual abuse, exploitation and trafficking.

“This was the second year for our Big Show event,” said Revved Up Kids Founder Alli Neal, “and we were so excited for the performers and the audience. It was a wonderful afternoon!”

The Big Show is an opportunity for amateur performers to compete for cash awards. This year’s competitors included dancers, singers, actors, a band and a juggler. There were 14 performances in all.

The judging panel included two returning performers from last year’s competition. Other judges were WSB’s Smilin’ Mark McKay, WSB Word on the Street host Shelley Wynter, Paul Shane of Banks and Shane and Mayor Pro Tem of the City of Duluth Greg Whitlock.

Said one judge, “I wish we could have given an award to every performer; they were all so good!”

Winners in the youth category included Lauren S, a 14-year-old singer who performed “Amazing Grace.” Another youth winner was Walt O, a 14-year-old with autism sang “What a Wonderful World” and got the audience cheering.

In the adult category, local band Five Piece Kit took the Best Overall Performance award and Grayson W, a high school juggler, won for Most Entertaining Performance. The People’s Choice Award, given to the performer who gets the most votes from the community, went to local singer Brett Ryder.

The Big Show generated almost $15,000 toward Revved Up Kids programs. They include the Revved Up Kids’ sexual abuse prevention training workshops that have reached more than 40,000 Atlanta area children and teens.