Come support Ventura Unified School District this Saturday night at Ventura Education Partnership’s 12th annual Festival of Talent.

The festival’s theme this year is “Under the Big Top,” and pre-show festivities include clowns and stilt performers along with a silent auction, raffle, and student art showcase.

The show is directed by Brian McDonald of the Rubicon Theatre Company, who helped select acts by students from schools district-wide.

“There’s a lot of different age groups in it, there’s a lot of really talented people, and it’s really cool to see that no matter what your age is, you can come and show what you can do.” said Blake Silva, a Foothill junior who will sing in the show’s finale.

Another Foothill junior, Caleb Bigler, will also be singing in the Festival, performing the song he auditioned for “The X-Factor” with.

“I really look forward to entertaining a whole crowd of people and seeing a bunch of new faces that have no expectations. It’s a lot of fun for me to sing for a crowd of people I don’t know,” Bigler said.

All activities raise funds for VEP’s teacher grant program, benefiting VUSD.

“It’s also a good time for all the different schools to come together,” Bigler said.

The Festival of Talent takes place at Ventura High School, and the pre-show festivities begin at 5:30 p.m.

Ventura Unified Leadership Council will host a pasta dinner from Milano’s in the Ventura High School cafeteria before the show. The Milano’s dinner is $5 and is from 5-6:30 p.m., and tickets are available from any VUSD high school ASB office.

Doors open at 6 p.m. and the Festival of Talent begins at 7 p.m. in the VHS Auditorium.

Tickets are $10 when purchased in advance from any VUSD school or online, $15 dollars at the door, and $20 for a reserved seat (purchased in advance online only).