Lilburn Idol Wraps Up 8th Season

Despite being plagued by , Lilburn Idol's eighth season wrapped Friday evening. 19 contestants performed in the finale, with one first-place winner selected from each of the age divisions. 

Mayor Diana Preston was the emcee for the evening and talent judges included Charlotte Nash, Chairman of the Board of Commissioners, Scott Mecredy of Music on Main Street and Lois Chisolm of the Melanie Thornton Foundation for Youth Arts.

The night began with 9-year-old Elise Karinshak singing Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'.".She and her sister Marilee rounded out the Young Youth Division along with 8-year-old Willy Neamie who performed a Risky Business inspired version of Bob Seger's "Old Time Rock N' Roll." Pre-teen and Young Teen Division performances followed. 

The Young Adult Division provided songs from Beyonce and Les Miserable sung by Carcel Greenridge and Lauren Barnaby respectively. Gwen Cantrell and Lawrence Hilliard rounded out the Adult Division with country music performances.

Both Lilburn and metro Atlanta residents showed up for the finale. Many Idol contestants had their own cheering sections equipped with decorative posters and eager handclaps. In addition to watching the competition groups of kids played soccer, threw frisbees and sung along with the top 40 hits performed by Idol contestants.

During intermission door prizes were given away and dancers from the Melanie Thornton Foundation for Youth Arts performed. Each Idol winner received a plaque, voucher to attend a class taught at the Aurora theater, and an engraved brick inside Lilburn City Park.

Idol Winners

Young Youth Division-Elise Karinshak

Youth Division-Eleanor Burrow

Pre-Teen Division-Kelsey Marie Robinson

Young Teen Division-Marianella Victoria Lopez

Teen Division-Jenna Bass

Young Adult Division-Carcel Greenridge

Adult Division-Gwen Cantrell