If you can sing, dance, play the fiddle or just make people laugh, the Raise the Roof Talent Search & Competition may just be the place to showoff your ability.

The Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation has scheduled the second  annual competitive event and for those interested in participating, registration is now open and will run through March 17, said Stacey Massey, executive director of the SCHF.

The event is held to help provide funding for the roofs of the Southern  Cultural Heritage Center buildings, Massey said. 

“We received a grant from the Mississippi Department of Archives and History to rehabilitate the SCHF roofs and with the $145,200 in grant funds we will receive, the SCHF is required to provide a cash match of $36,300,” she said.

“From last year’s Raise the Roof Competition through today, we have raised $16,552.29 with $19,747.71 left to raise, so we are hoping this year’s contest will put us closer.”

Massey said she was pleased with their inaugural event. However, there will be a few changes to this year’s competition, she said.

Instead of having the preliminary competitions on multiple nights, there will only be one night all entries will compete.

The top 10 will be named and then they will compete for the $500 cash prize the following night.

The preliminary competition will be held on March 31 and the finals will be April 1.

Both competitions will begin at 6 p.m. in the SCHC Auditorium, 1302 Adams St.

Another change in this year’s competition, Massey said, is the competition will not be broken up into categories.

“It will be just one big talent competition,” she said.

To compete, entry fees are $20 for individuals and $50 for groups of three or more.

Tickets to watch the competition each night are $15 for adults, $5 for ages 6 through 18 and free for ages five and younger.

“Our hope is that this contest will grow each year. Not only do we want to promote our local talent, but also we want the community to have a great time cheering on friends and family. We also welcome those to come out who don’t know anyone competing. Audience participation will enter into the judging criteria, so come out and pick your favorite,” Massey said.

To register for the Raise the Roof Talent Search & Competition or for more information, call 601-631-2997 or visit southernculture.org.