Come wind or high water, or in the case of the 18th Annual South Whidbey Schools Community Talent Show — come two October power outages during auditions — the show must go on.

Friday and Saturday it will. The two-night show will feature jump ropers, karate kids, mimes, singers, dancers, poets, actors and musicians.

It’s a throwback to the variety shows of years past, according to the show’s emcee Jim Freeman.

The South Whidbey Schools Community Talent Show brings together primary, intermediate, middle and high schoolers, as well as homeschoolers and post-graduates in a unique show.

“Kids rise up because it’s their friends up there, and there’s truly a camaraderie back stage,” Freeman said.

Primary and middle school acts will entertain at Friday night’s show. The truly magic moments are with the first-timers, according to Freeman. Saturday features the middle and high schoolers.

“Any body who’s ever experienced stage fright, any parents, anyone who likes to laugh or is entertained by music is gonna love this show,” Freeman said.

With all the innocence, stage fright-induced mistakes, and a look of sheer terror that melts away to a smile once they realize the audience won’t throw rotten tomatoes at them — what’s not to like?

It’s not a parade of squeaky clarinets, said Freeman, who insists no offense to clarinetists since he was once a wee squeaker himself.

“People come who don’t even have kids, but they love the show,” said Jean Shaw, the talent show’s producer. “It’s hard to resist these kids.”

On South Whidbey, this isn’t your average talent show. Many of the young performers are the sons and daughters of seasoned artists themselves. Talent show performers have been busy honing their skills on the Whidbey Children’s Theatre stage, in band class, with Island Dance, with Island Strings, on the WICA stage, and with some of the best music, dance and acting instructors in the Pacific Northwest.

“They’re cranking out outstanding kids like football coaches do,” Freeman said.

In its 18th year the show has come of age, Shaw said.

“When you turn 18 it’s an important year,” she said. “It’s an important year for us too and we want to thank everyone who keeps us going.”

This year’s talent show is not only a spotlight for the young performers, but also a chance to honor some real life heroes — the instructors, parents, family, sponsors and others who support and nurture these young artists.

Audience members are asked to write a note to their heroes, which will be read during the show. Some of these stage-helping heroes will be pulled out of the audience to be further honored.

“The show is also their time to be honored, to be humbled, it’s what they live for — to be given thanks,” Freeman said.