PICKENS COUNTY—A popular second year event that has local residents buzzing is back for another go-around.

Pickens County Has Talent saw increasing interest during its debut in 2012, but event coordinators say they are hoping for a much bigger show this year.

“I had created Liberty Idol to showcase all of the great talent in Pickens, but resigned from that to do Pickens County Has Talent,” Roy Costner with Pickens County Has Talent said. “We were able to do the same thing, but this time we were able to raise money for Pickens County schools which has an effect on nearly every family in the county.”

Costner said the goal was to bring entertainment to the county while raising money for a worthy cause.

“I wanted to do something that would be a fun event to attend and would be big benefit to the community and to Pickens County,” Costner said. “Last year was a great year for a first time event.”

Last year, each show produced growth, Costner said.

“We raised $10,000 for the school system last year,” Costner said. “During the first few shows we were averaging around 100 people, but it grew from there.

Although the program is coordinated in conjunction with the School District of Pickens County, Costner said all are welcome.

“It’s open to any age and any talent,” Costner said. “It’s not like going to a talent show at the middle school, high school or elementary school. While we still want kids to participate, we want adults to participate as well.”

During these shows, you may find things that are difficult to see elsewhere according to Costner.

“With Liberty Idol, it was all singing,” Costner said. “Last year, with Pickens County Has Talent, there was still a lot of singing, but we had everything from a magician to a contortionist. It was unreal.”

Costner said the opportunities surround the show are endless.

“There’s a lot of talk about it this year,” Costner said. “We’ve got an opportunity to do something incredible and affect 16,000+ kids.”

“The cool thing is that it is becoming a competition,” he continued. “The kids at Pickens High School have said they want to raise more money than any other school. They are kind of throwing down the gauntlet saying they can raise more money than the rest of the county.”

With interest growing, Costner said he believes this year will set the bar even higher.

“I feel optimistic about this year,” Costner said. “We’ve taken it up a notch, and we’ve really made it a show where, if you miss one, you’re really going to be missing something cool that happens. You really never know what to expect.”