At this year’s Coolfest in Rock Hill on Saturday, 12 students from six schools will compete for the title of York County Idol, a contest that has brought in local talent for three years.

Julia Matthews, a student at Fort Mill High School, won the contest last year with her version of “Broken Wing” by Martina McBride. She went home with a Visa gift card, and her appearance in the parking lot of Knights Stadium prepared her for other gigs, such as singing at Bobcats Arena.

“I was nervous,” Matthews said, “but it was a great experience.”

This year’s contestants were chosen from recent auditions in Rock Hill, York and Fort Mill. They will prove their talents to three judges to wrap up the 2008 family festival.

Coolfest will return to Rock Hill from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday in the parking lot of the Target store on Dave Lyle Boulevard. All events are free.

Singing isn’t all you can expect.

During the game show hour, beginning at 11:15 a.m., age groups can compete to see who has the quickest thumbs in Text Messaging Wars — proof to parents that too much cell phoning can pay off. Parents are also invited to square off.

Big kids such as Terry Plumb, retired editor of The Herald, will test their knowledge against fifth-graders in “Are You Smarter than a Fifth Grader?” A rock band video game contest and giant inflatable Twister also will boast winners.

It’s all an effort by Keystone to connect York County families and students with the arts, music, parks and other healthy choices the area has to offer, said Keystone spokesperson Jane Alleva.

“What’s so cool about Coolfest is you can see all the talent that comes out with our students,” she said. The festival is also designed to teach drug and alcohol prevention, and to provide healthy alternatives to substance abuse.

Obstacle courses such as the drunken driving simulator will teach students the dangers of being under the influence, and McGruff the Crime Dog will appear with other mascots from the area.

Face painting will return, a big hit at last year’s Coolfest, Alleva said. Tiffany Beckler, a former student in York County, is running her own face-painting business after graduating last year.

“Born to Win,” a one-act play written in collaboration with Gregory Paxton and the students in Brenda Bogan’s English class at Rock Hill High, will be presented at 12:15 p.m.

Last year’s York County Idol and 2006 runner-up Avionce Hoyles will perform, along with Jake Haldenwang and the Highway 61 Blues Band, the Grupo de Latino dance group, Praise Team Dancers, Emmett Scott Boys and Girls Club Step Team and The Stellas, a power pop, alternative rock band from Charlotte.