Glenville residents proved they’ve got talent Friday night during one of the first events to kick off Glenville Days 2009.

During the event, dubbed “Glenville’s Got Talent,” which is named after the hit television show “America’s Got Talent,” five groups made up of young adults, children and one adult put aside their nerves to showcase their singing, guitar playing and ability to use sign language.

At least 50 people huddled into The Office Bar on Main Street to hear the performances, after rain forced the event to go on inside.

“We knew there was talent in the community and wanted to try and pull that out,” said Emmy Stilley, one of the organizers. This was the first year for the contest.

Each talent was reviewed by three judges based on challenge, performance and enjoyment.

In the end, 11-year-old Liesel Theusch was victorious in the competition, after singing country music star Carrie Underwood’s “All-American Girl.” Theusch won $50.

The judges said Theusch did a great job of making the song her own and that she picked a song that was good for her voice.

Liesel’s mother, Ada Theusch, said her daughter has always been into singing.

“As soon as she could talk she was singing,” Ada Theusch said.

The other performers also received high remarks from the judges.

Performing American sign language to “What a Wonderful World,” were graduating kindergartners Olivia Stilley, Ashlyn Yost, Collin Oeltjenbruns, Jadin Schumaker, Caden Ellingson and Cassidy Stromely.

The children performed the sign language as the song played in the background.

“I was so impressed,” one of the judges said. “I’ve thought many, many times I want to learn sign language.”

Following the kindergartners were Mary Bjorkland and Kendra Davis singing “Lollipop.”

The judges credited the young women’s harmony and said if the two keep singing together, they’ll go a long way.

Shaking it up a little was Nick Krier, playing “Riff Raff” on his electric guitar.

The judges complimented him and a few even noted they wished they could play the guitar, too.

The last performance consisted of John Ware on the guitar with Sara Allison, Nicole Allison and Olivia Stilley singing “Fishing in the Dark.”

The judges gave the group credit for getting up in front of the crowd.

Master of ceremonies Emmy Stilley encouraged more people to get involved next year. She said she hopes the event can draw more adults with a variety of talents.

At the end of the night, she gave the first clue in the medallion hunt, and about 10 minutes later a child had already found it. The hunt had been expected to go into Saturday.

Also planned for Saturday was a parade, a Little King and Queen contest, a dodgeball tournament, bingo in the park and bovine bingo, to name a few.

Glenville Days was moved up in the calendar this year. In previous years, it took place in August.

A special ceremony, titled “The Last Call,” was scheduled to honor all deceased firemen. Officials hoped to gather all the names of the firemen who’ve served in Glenville and put them on a “Wall of Flame.”

On Sunday, the final events scheduled were a softball tournament, a church service and breakfast in the park, all in the morning.