The Northwest Georgia Idol competition will be held in Cedartown this Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 6 p.m. each night in the Cedartown Performing Arts Center.

There are two age groups for the competition, group one is for children ages 12 to 15. Group two is for everyone ages 16 and up. There will be a $1000 dollar cash prize for the first place winners in each group as well as $300 prizes for second place and $200 for third.

The event will feature 45 contestants from eight counties in the Northwest Georgia area. Auditions are Wednesday, the semi-finals will be on Thursday and the finals will be held Friday.

The audience will participate in choosing the winner on Friday, according to Jacqueline Peterson, who was on the planning committee.

Tickets will cost $10 each for seats on Wednesday and Thursday and $15 on Friday or $30 for all three nights. They be purchased at Pink Sugar, either McDonalds or at the Cedartown Performing Arts Center.

During the competition several businesses will be giving away free prizes to members of the audience. McDonalds will give away six cards worth 52 free meals, Pink Sugar will be giving away a set of Prom shoes and West Cinema will give away tickets to "The Hunger Games."