‘Quests’ always a good start

    Despite blazing temperatures, another sell-out crowd was on hand for the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce’s 12th-annual “Quest for the Best” last Tuesday night (July 24) under the big tent at the Sorting Gap Marina.
    The big night—once again held in conjunction with the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship—saw Derek and Dylan Thompson crowned the winners of “Quest.”
    Katelyn Shortreed, meanwhile, captured the “Kiddie Quest” title once again.
    The 22 contestants in “Quest” and the 12 in “Kiddie Quest,” which was open to those 13 and under, sang their hearts out in hope of capturing the big title.
    The Thompson brothers said they were really shocked to have earned the $500 top prize.
    “We didn’t think we would win, and are really surprised and happy we did,” said Dylan.
    The pair wowed the crowd and the judges with their rendition of “Space Oddity” by David Bowie—dressing in costumes and dancing to the beat to get the crowd going.
    They also collected the People’s Choice award for the first set ($150).
    The brothers said they just were excited to perform together for the crowd under the big tent. “We just love doing this and have a lot of fun together,” noted Derek.
    The boys performed in several Fort Frances High School musicals, plays, and musical revues growing up. Most recently, they appeared together as the intruders in the Fort Frances Theatre’s production of “The Foreigner.”
    Kayla Lauzon was the runner-up in “Quest,” pocketing the $300 prize for her rendition of “I Need a Hero.”
    Taking the third-place prize of $200 was last year’s second-place winner, Brittany Hayes, who sang Reba McEntire’s “Fancy.”
    Jeremy Wilson collected the fourth-place prize of $150 with his rendition of Elton John’s “Rocket Man” while Ken Kellar earned the People’s Choice award for the second set ($150).
    Shortreed earned the “Kiddie Quest” crown—and $200 first prize—for singing “Think” by Aretha Franklin.
    Coming in second, worth $150, was Dylan Ossachuk, singing “You’re Beautiful” by James Blunt while strumming the guitar. He also received the crowd favourite award ($50).
    Third place ($100) went to Erika Tymkin, who sang “Not Ready to Make Nice” by the Dixie Chicks.