CARIBOU – The United Way of Aroostook exceeded its annual fund-raising goal Friday night after more than 800 fans packed the Caribou Performing Arts Center to watch three local singers compete for top honors at the Aroostook Idol finale.

The singing competition fund-raiser netted more than $28,000 for the local charity and sent it above its $440,000 fund-raising goal for the year. It also honored winner Renee Cavagnaro, 20, of Caribou with the title of 2005 Aroostook Idol, $700 in prizes and a recording opportunity with locally based White Zone Studio.

Aroostook Idol is patterned after, but not affiliated with, the Fox Television singing contest show, “American Idol.” The fund-raiser consisted of three live semifinal stage shows this winter in Fort Kent, Houlton and Presque Isle and a finale in Caribou.

Winners of the semifinals – Cavagnaro at the central Aroostook competition, Megan Ouellette, 18, of Van Buren at the northern Aroostook event, and Lance Sullivan, 27, of Ashland at the southern Aroostook show – were chosen by judges with help from audience members to continue on to the final round. During the finale event, the winner was selected by audience members only who cast printed ballots during the show.

Cavagnaro sang “Unchained Melody” for her final performance. Competitor Ouellette sang “Last Dance” by Donna Summer; Sullivan sang “I’ll Be” by Edwin McCain.

All three have pointed to a love of singing and a chance to help raise money for a good cause as reasons for participating in the event.

The three were not the only ones to take the stage Friday night.

The first and second runners-up from the three semifinal shows as well as several “favorite” picks were invited to sing during the finale to entertain the crowd as officials counted the ballots.

Adam Ouellette of Frenchville, first runner-up in Fort Kent, sang a self-composed song titled “How Can Love Be Forever.” Fort Kent second runner-up Klinte Michaeux of Grand Isle sang “Imagine” by John Lennon.

First runner-up in Houlton, Nicolas Foster, was unable to attend the event. Second-runner up Dawson Graham of Weston sang “I Miss My Friend” by Darrell Worley.

Jarad Carney of Washburn, first runner-up in Presque Isle, sang a self-composed song titled “Your Tomorrow.” Second runner-up Christine St. Pierre of Fort Fairfield sang “Son of a Preacher Man” by Dusty Springfield.

Favorite picks include Caroline Devoe of Houlton who sang “Daddy’s Hands,” Keri Hanning of Houlton who sang “There You’ll Be” by Faith Hill, Melbourne Smith of Easton who sang a self-composed song titled “Seasons,” Samantha Boutot of Fort Kent who sang “Heartbreaker” by Pat Benatar and Pamela Cyr of Fort Kent who sang “You’re No Good” by Linda Ronstadt.

Also during the evening, organizers presented a video that featured all 40 Aroostook Idol contestants.

United Way officials have estimated that Aroostook Idol is the second-largest special fund-raiser that the organization has held. During its annual telethon, the United Way of Aroostook typically raises about $20,000. But with heavy ticket sales and business sponsorships, officials said they were able to far exceed that figure.

“We want to thank everyone involved for making this such a sweet success,” Claudia Stevens, local United Way executive director, said during the show.