DEL MAR -- They came, they played, they left $64,000 richer.

Competitors battled it out at the San Diego County Fair's Musicpalooza talent contest finals on Friday, with The Erick Macek Band of Ladera Ranch and soloist Tiffany Jane of Coronado each walking away with the top prize of $25,000.

Five bands and an equal number of solo vocal acts competed in the event, held on the Heineken Grandstand Stage at the Del Mar Fairgrounds.

In addition to the prize money, winners were set to open up for Joan Jett and the Blackhearts later Friday at the grandstand.

"Words can't describe how I feel right now," said Erick Macek, the lead singer and guitarist of the band that bears his name. "You get a major act and you get a chance to perform -- there's nothing better."

Macek, who will soon be leaving to tour in Europe, said that he looks forward to returning to San Diego and creating more music for local fans.

Solo winner Tiffany Jane was equally excited.

"It could have been absolutely anyone up there, I feel very blessed to be the one they chose," she said. "We all were very supportive of each other, which was a very beautiful experience."

The American Idol-style Musicpalooza competition began in April and was open to performers throughout the United States. More than 240 entries were received for what was the largest cash prize ever offered by the fair.

Many local music industry professionals donated their time to judge the entire competition.

In the soloist vocal category, Allegra Barley won the second place prize of $5,000 and Geanie Jenkins took third place with $2,000. In the band category, Endoxi won second place and third place went to Rock Child.

The Peoples' Choice Award winners were Endoxi in the band category and Katherine Ramirez for the vocalist.

Event master of ceremonies and local disc jockey Tim Pyles described the energy onstage as exciting.

"It was the coolest thing to be up on that stage," he said. "The fact there was $25,000 at stake just blew my mind." Pyles said that he wondered what it was like for the bands.

Roger Grimes of Rancho Bernardo walked into the event during the middle of the final performances Friday and decided to sit for a while.

"I didn't know it was a competition until someone mentioned the prize money," he said. "It was fun to see who would win it."