With chilly weather finally sweeping into Sedalia, thoughts of hot days at the state fair are a long way off for some. But not for the competitors in Doo Idol, a new singing competition that will send its champion to August’s Missouri State Fair Idol contest.

Awaiting the announcement of the Missouri State Fair Idol winner is like a college basketball team waiting to see if it will be picked for the NCAA tournament — you don’t really know what the key criteria will be until the announcement is made.

The Missouri State Fair is still a month away, but this year’s State Fair Idol has probably already begun his or her journey to the title. Three qualifying rounds have taken place at Dickie-Doo Bar-B-Que, and the final chance to qualify locally will be at 7 p.m. Friday on the party deck of the Sedalia bar and restaurant.

At the start of the fair, 80 contestants aimed for the fame and career boost that would come with the title of Missouri State Fair Idol. After today, it’ll be down to the final 10.

Carissa Dawn Biele, 25, of Memphis, Tenn., formerly of Fulton, has been working hard for three years to become the 2008 Missouri State Fair Idol.

Samantha Dawn Schoenthaler won over the crowd Sunday at the Budweiser Tent performing the fast-paced “Auctioneer,” by Pettis County’s own Leroy Van Dyke, to become the 2009 Missouri State Fair Idol winner.

Missouri has a new State Fair Idol, and — to borrow a quote from Oklahoma State University football coach Mike Gundy — he’s a man; he’s 40.

Budweiser Stage