Tammy,

You have experienced pretty much the same thing that all contests suffer from, overreaching expectations. I think they all mean well, but once they find out how much costs are (about half way into your event) the prize money starts to dissapear quickly. And they can't admit it because it usually will impede the next one (which they are always on to the next one the second the one your are in is over)

In 1984, My band, 24 KARAT was involved in the Miller High Life Rock To Richies' Natural talent search. It had around 30,000 bands nationwide, and was sponsored by MCA records and Miller Beer. The contest was exciting with 5 regions across the US, (we were the southeast region). In previous contests, the second runner up,(1981 Twisted Sister, 1982 John Bon Jovi)so it had a nice liniage. But none of the winners were ever heard of.
When we won we got to play rock star for a week. Fine hotels in LA limos, the whole bit. We all got jackets and SWAG and had a great time. But the $50,000 in cash ended up in prizes. That was a sound system that really was not worth much. I did get a 4001 Rickenbacker bass but the rest was very fleeting and very superficial.
The point being is that contests are just that. And they almost never deliver what they promise. I am not familiar with this one, but they all are just about the same. I have never met a contest winner that really has too much positive to say about the contest experience. It is what it is. hope you get your hundred bucks. You may need it for gas.

MAB