MOUNT STERLING, Ky. — Five finalists took the stage Saturday in downtown Mount Sterling for the final round of the Small Town America Talent Show, sponsored by Rumpke, with Matthew Reed of Mt. Sterling ultimately capturing the grand prize.
The five finalists competing Saturday were:
Tristen Moore — Olive Hill, Kentucky
Jonathan Mould — Mt. Sterling, Kentucky
Jayla Rogers — Stanton, Kentucky
Kody Hatton — Winchester, Kentucky
Matthew Reed — Mt. Sterling, Kentucky
After the performances were complete and the results announced, Matthew Reed was named the 2026 Small Town America Talent Show winner, while Tristen Moore of Olive Hill finished in second place.
The competition was part of Saturday’s Small Town America Festival, which brought hundreds of people into historic downtown Mount Sterling for a day of entertainment and community activities.
Festival organizers also welcomed back Brock Donohew of Owingsville, winner of the 2025 talent competition, who appeared as a special guest entertainer during this year’s event.
The Small Town America Festival has become an annual celebration of the character and community spirit of Mount Sterling. According to information previously shared with WKYT by Mt. Sterling-Montgomery County Tourism Director Tracy Pearce, the inspiration for the festival can be traced to a song titled Small Town America, written by Jeffrey Weiss approximately two decades ago. The song's celebration of small-town life proved to be a natural fit for Mount Sterling and eventually helped inspire the community festival.
The talent show has become one of the festival's featured attractions, giving area performers an opportunity to showcase their abilities before a live audience.
This year's winner, Matthew Reed, received a substantial cash prize and will also have opportunities to perform at future events, including the Mt. Sterling Court Days Festival this fall.
For Olive Hill's Tristen Moore, Saturday's runner-up finish was an impressive showing against some of the region's talented performers, carrying Carter County into the final two of the competition.
The Morehead Minute congratulates Matthew Reed on his first-place finish, Tristen Moore on taking second place, and all five finalists who earned their way onto the Small Town America Talent Show stage.
Festival background information was independently summarized from reporting by WKYT.