Puzzle Pieces’ largest fundraising event of the year brought in more than $110,000 for the nonprofit Saturday night at the Owensboro Convention Center.
Ten teams performed in the 2021 show, which was sponsored by Kentucky Legend. The event kicked off with special performances by Puzzle Pieces staff and board members. The night was hosted by WBKR radio personalities Chad Benefield and Angel Welsh.
Competitors included the following (winners of each battle are noted in bold):
BATTLE 1 — Therapy Thrillers vs. Medical Mayhem
Simply Therapy vs. Vineyard Primary Care
BATTLE 2 — Backboards vs. Back Flips
Owensboro Thoroughbreds vs. Alumni Cheerleaders
BATTLE 3 — Middle School Mania vs. Elementary Enforcers
Owensboro Middle School vs. Newton Parrish Elementary School
VIRTUAL PERFORMANCE — The Men Behind the Event
Wonder Boy Media
BATTLE 4 — Coverage Crushers vs. Policy Pushers
Lee Upton, Kentucky Farm Bureau vs. Matt Fitzgerald, State Farm
VIRTUAL PERFORMANCE
The Mom Squad vs. The Happy Glampers
BATTLE 5 — Hose Handlers vs. Handcuffed Hunnies
Firefighters’ Wives vs. Police Wives
Each winning team was awarded a trophy, handcrafted by Puzzle Pieces’ clients, who actually had a hand in making all event decorations.
“We want our event guests to see what they are supporting,” Owen said. “The clients love helping out with the Lip Sync Battle each year. They have even created their own Lip Sync Battle at our campus.”
Of the 10 teams that fundraised for the event, the team that secured the most donations for Puzzles Pieces was Lee Upton with Kentucky Farm Bureau, who raised over $12,000. This top spot earned Upton the Owensboro Lip Sync Battle’s Community Piece Award. Upton also won the overall best performance for Saturday night in addition to his individual battle, making him the first in Lip Sync Battle history to win all three trophies.
Owen said there was only one word to describe this year’s event — epic. Performers brought their A-game Saturday with pyrotechnics, choreography, elaborate costumes and props. A bride and groom that was celebrating their wedding reception at the Owensboro Convention Center Saturday night even made a special appearance on the stage.
“We could not do what we do without the support of the Owensboro community through this event,” Owen said. “From the sponsors to the performers to the ticket buyers — they each play a part in supporting our clients.”
