By CRAIG FREILICH

Bill Melchior of Hannawa Falls and Rebecca Branchau of Gouverneur have made it to the top five and the finals of the sixth annual North Country Idol competition Friday night in Watertown.

It all began eight weeks ago with 80 karaoke singers, whittled down week after week by the judges and voting by audience members.

This Friday, the top five singers will be picked up by a stretch limousine, fitted for formal wear, and have their hair and makeup done by professionals before the show starts at 7 p.m. at the Watertown Fairgrounds.

Each of the top five will sing one song, and three of them voted on by audience members after last week’s performances, yet to be announced, will sing a second song.

This year’s winner will receive the top prize of $1,000 and five hours of recording studio time.

It’s free to get in to watch the show. There is a charge for some reserved seats in the front. Beer, wine and food will be available.

“It will be packed,” as about 1,000 people have been at each of the earlier sessions, Melchior said. He hasn’t decided yet, but he will probably be singing a tune from the Frank Sinatra or Elvis Presley songbooks.

“It happens to be my birthday on Friday,” said Melchior. “There might be some champagne,” he said.

“Win, lose or draw, it’s been great fun,”