STARKVILLE — This weekend, musical artists will face off at Dave’s Dark Horse Tavern, looking to impress a panel of judges and prove they are the best songwriter in the city.

Starkville Area Arts Council Program Coordinator Juliette Reid said the competition, starting at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, is designed to find the best of the best to perform on stage at the Cotton District Arts Festival. Out of the 10 that compete, only three will make it onto the festival’s stage.

“This is our annual … competition to find Starkville’s latest and greatest,” Reid said. “We accept applications of original songs from local and regional artists and invite the top 10 of those, selected by our CDAF committee, to perform in a competition showcase at Dave’s Dark Horse Tavern.”

Each artist will perform one song each, and will be judged by the panel of Bill Thurlow, Alan Aldridge and last year’s winner Kaciny Emile.

While the top three competitors win the right to play during an hour time slot at the festival Sept. 23, Reid said they also win cash prizes sponsored by the Del Rendon Foundation. First prize will take home $500, while second and third place get $250 and $150, respectively.

Reid said the competition has “always” been hosted at Dave’s, since the bar holds a stage for musical acts, along with pizza and drinks for any interested. Owner Dave Hood said the bar has hosted the event for about 15 years.

“It gives each participant a chance to get their original songs heard in a supportive environment plus some time on stage to develop their performance abilities,” Hood wrote in an email to The Dispatch.

Reid said the winning artists will also play at a reception at the Starkville Area Arts Council on Sept. 8 from 5:30-7 p.m., as another way to build excitement before the festival.