Get ready to be entertained.

That’s the production staff’s hope for those in the audience of Church Folk Got Talent, a talent show featuring area churches’ singers and entertainers along with host Rickey Smiley.

“It’s about the people you listen to each Sunday. The people you hear and think, ‘Wow, I wish other people got to hear this too.’ There are so many things covered in this show and so many people will get to show their talent,” said Melanie Sanders, co-promoter for the event, which will be held Friday, Aug. 12, at 7 p.m. in the Vicksburg City Auditorium.

“The idea is to bring quality entertainment with a Christian focus.”

The event, put on by Charles Pendleton’s G.O.D. Productions, is based on a much smaller performance put on at Christian Home No. 2 Church two years ago. Since that event, Pendleton said he has been working on the larger production taking place Friday.

“We just wanted to do something different to highlight and showcase the talent in Vicksburg and surround areas,” Pendleton said. “And it’s family friendly so everyone can get involved. It’s (also) not race specific. We’re tying to bring white and black folk together.”

The show will feature four vocalists, one saxophonist and two Christian comedians, Sanders, who is with LuxeLife PR, said. Rickey Smiley as the host will add some additional humor to the competition, she added.

“Most of (Smiley’s) comedy is based on participation in and observation of the church, so he was a perfect person to host,” she said.

Sanders described the competition, which will feature a cash prize for the winner, as a spin off of America’s Got Talent.

“We won’t have big Xs or anything like that though,” she said.

However, Vicksburg celebrity judges, ranging from local vocalist Charlotte Price to Sheriff Martin Pace, will be in attendance, and $100 prizes, selected from those who purchased tickets, will be given away every 15 minutes, Sanders said.

“We need people to get excited and come witness this production. It’s beginning a whole new conversation about talent and Christian-based entertainment,” she added.

Tickets for Church Folk Got Talent range from $35 to VIP $65, and children under 12 are admitted for free.

For more information or purchase a ticket, call 601-218-5526.