By By SPIROS GALLOS / Niles Daily Star
NILES - If he hadn't been introduced otherwise, spectators at the Four Flags Apple Festival Lip-Sync contest would have believed Robert Plummer was indeed Michael Jackson.
The 17-year-old Cassopolis native won the $300 first prize in the 13- to 17-year-old age category with his performance of Jackson's "Billie Jean."
He had the moves, spinning and dancing his way across the stage. Plummer even did Jackson's famous "moon walk" flawlessly.
Plummer has been dancing since he was eight-years-old. Sunday's first place finish was his first in the four years Plummer has competed in the contest.
The lip-sync contest drew a large crowd, with barely a seat available in the main tent where the event was held.
The second and third place acts in 13- to 17-year-old division were all in the family.
Amber, 14, Kaleigh, 11, and Lacie, 9, Horvath took second place and $200 for their rendition of "Respect" by Aretha Franklin.
Taking third place and $100 were Zachery, 11, and Brittany, 16, Fuller of Niles. They performed "Sweet Potato," a comedy sketch by Mark Lowery.
The 7 to 12-year-age group was won by Brittany Hopkins, 11, of Eau Claire, who performed "Opposites Attract," by Paula Abdul.
Hopkins' costume was half Paula Abdul, half MC Kat, who did the male vocals on the song.
Emily Mowka, 11, and Torrie Parks, 12, of Niles took second place performing "Toys," by Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen.
Dressed as Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz, Hannah Davis, 5, of Niles placed third with her performance of "Over the Rainbow," by Arlen and Harburg.
When Davis took to the stage, a chorus of "awwwww" rose from the crowd, expressing how cute they felt she looked.
Davis has been singing since she was two-years-old and performed at the Oz Festival in Chesterton, Ind., Sept. 29.
In the 18 and older age group, Patricia, 42, and Ariel, 13, Smith and Desirah Krueger, 11, all of Niles, took first place, performing "Harper Valley PTA," by Jeannie C. Riley.
While she had helped her daughter, Ariel, from behind the scenes the past three years, this was the first year Patricia got involved in the act.
Annette Ward and Janice Hensel of Niles, who are both lip-sync contest veterans, placed second with a parody of the song "Friendship."
Jared, 15, and his mother Debra, 42, Parrish took third with their interpretation of "Miss Barth," a comdey skit by Mark Lowery.
Pat Teeter, co-chairman of the lip-sync contest, said that the 25 entries in this year's contest was down from last year, which saw 30 acts perform.
Teeter said that the smaller number was welcome, as it helped organizer keep the show within the two hour limit allotted for it.