By By BEN RAYMOND LODE / Niles Daily Star
NILES -- Jessica Herman of Niles did her best to look and act like Tina Turner during her performance at Sunday's Apple Festival Lip-Sync contest
She did well.
Her performance of Tina Turner's hit "Proud Mary," was enough to earn her the $300 first prize in the 13 to 17 years old age category she competed in.
The family oriented Lip-Sync contest, which requires contestants to pre-register and be reviewed before qualifying to ensure it remains a family oriented event, seemed to be a crowd magnet.
Few seats remained open inside the Main Tent during the contest.
Herman, 16, is a Niles High School student and has done Lip-Sync contests since she was eight years old.
Enjoying music from the 60s and 70s, Herman said she likes to perform to music that stands out.
Herman, however, wasn't the only performer to receive praise and a cash prize.
Jenna Durham, 10, performed Shania Twain 's hit "I'm gonna get you good."
The 10-year-old from Eau Claire impressed the judges with her fancy costume and smooth moves, which were enough to earn her the $300 first prize in the 7 to 12 years old age category.
Durham, who at her young age is a seasoned Lip-Sync contest performer, was surprised of her win and plans to spend the money on clothes.
She performed as Twain on Sunday, chosen because of the song's and original performer's energetic feel.
And, at 10, she has no plans of throwing in the towel yet.
In the 18 and older age group, there was a tie for first place.
Annette Ward and Janice Hensel of Niles, who are veteran Lip-Sync contestants, performed "Breath," by Cledus T. Judd.
They tied with Jared, 14, Gabraella, 7, and their mother, Debra Parish of Cassopolis, who performed to a sketch by comedian Mark Lowry.
Ward and Hensel, who have four first places and one second place in their career as Lip-Sync contestants were dressed in pyjamas during their performance.
Hensel said the duo performs different acts each year.
She had a short answer to explain why they keep on competing in the event.
Cathy Zeider won third price in the 18 and older category.
She performed "I'm Not Cool," by Scott Krippayne.
In the 7 to 12 year age category, four acts tied for second place.
They were given $100 each.
Mike Hubbard, who MC'd the Lip-Sync contest on Sunday, and has done so for several years now, said 28 acts entered the contest this year.
Having at times had as many as 45 and as few as 16 acts, Hubbard, who is on the Apple Festival's board of directors, Considered Sunday's LipSync contest as having a good turnout.