Please read the rules and regulations closely, and then complete the subsequent acknowledgments.

The following is the Lancaster PA Pride Pageant Rules & Regulations, which outline the specific rules, regulations, eligibility and other criteria governing the Lancaster PA Pride Pageant, its contestants and other participants, and the Lancaster PA Pride Titleholders. The following sections of this document may be amended at any time for any reason by Lancaster Pride.

A. CONTESTANT ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Contestants must meet the following criteria in order to participate in the 2020 Lancaster PA Pride pageant:

  • The contestant must be at least 21 years of age. Proof of age must be provided by form of photo ID, driver’s license or passport.
  • Contestant must reside within a 50-mile radius of the Lancaster, PA. Proof of address must be presented.
  • Lancaster Pride will accept a total of ten (10) contestants into this contest based on the application process. 
  • Contestant must pay a registration fee of $25.00 in order to compete in the pageant. The fee may be submitted online via the link provided.This fee is nonrefundable if you are selected to participate in the contest. If an applicant is not selected, the payment will be returned to the applicant. 
  • If an applicant is accepted into the contest and then withdraws or is disqualified from the contest for any reason, the fee will not be refunded.
  • Contestant must not be a current or former Lancaster PA Pride titleholder in the last four years (2018-2022).
  • Contestant must adhere to all deadlines and time tables put forth by Lancaster Pride or forfeit their place in the contest and the application fee. This includes but is not limited to, deadline to submit all parts of the application, music, payment for additional talent, as well as the call time for the contest. 
  • There will be no exceptions made for tardiness. Registration will be two hours before the pageant. 

B. PAGEANT RULES & REGULATIONS

The following rules and regulations will apply for the 2023 Lancaster Pride pageant:

Judging

  • The Lancaster PA Pride Pageant will have up to three winners, who will equally reign as the Lancaster PA Pride Court. These titleholders will hold the titles of Mr., Miss, or Mx. and will select their preferred title via their application. In the event that no contestants submit an application for a given title, that title will not be given out. Only one winner per title will be selected.
  • Lancaster Pride has final approval in selecting judges.
  • Winners will be selected based on a cumulative scoring system. In the event of a tie, the winner will be selected by an on-stage question to be selected by the panel.

Categories

All contestants will be judged in the following categories:

  • Extravagant Pride Presentation & On-Stage Question (200 Points per Judge)
    • This category is intended to allow participants to showcase their creative interpretation of what a “Extravagant Pride” look means to them. A self-expressive costume, gown/tux/formal wear, or garment in one (1) of the colors of the Progress Flag. Colors are identified as: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Violet, Black, Brown, White, Light Blue, and Pink. 
  • Evening Wear (300 Points per Judge)
    • Dress to Impress in your best Red Carpet award events, Black-Tie, Charity Gala, or an Inaugural Ball style.
  • Q&A- Immediately following the presentation of your evening wear. (100 Points per Judge)
    • Contestants will introduce themselves and will then draw a question from the MC. The MC will read the question to you twice. No length of answer is required but the judges are looking at how well you can communicate and how well you answered the question. 
    • On-stage questions will function as a quasi-interview with hosts, who will ask questions that pageant winners will likely answer during their reign as a titleholder. 
  • Talent (300 Points per Judge)
    • You will have six (6) minutes to showcase your entertaining abilities, ranging from but not limited to live acts, vocals or instruments, lipsyncing, dancing, or impersonating.
    • Any type of talent is acceptable, except those that are illegal or which may cause personal injury to the audience or any other person.
    • All music for the talent category must be submitted at the time of application. 
    • All participants must also bring a second hard copy of their music on a flash drive to the performance itself.
    • Each contestant will be allowed only (2) dancers and must pay $5 per Talent Pass at the time of check in on the day of the event. Payment can be made with cash, check, or card. 
    • Absolutely no liquid other than a secured bottle containing water is allowed on stage. 
    • Open containers of any liquid, fire, loose glitter, live animals, confetti, or any material that will leave debris or residue on the stage that could affect other contestants or entertainers is not allowed on stage. 

Additional Rules & Regulations

  • The Lancaster PA Pride Pageant is gender inclusive and is open to anyone who wishes to compete under their definition of the art of drag.
  • The Contestant must stay within the same gender category during the contest. For example, a person registering to compete as a drag king may not present as anything other than a drag king for the entirety of the contest.
  • Each contestant will be allowed one (1) dresser. The contestant’s dresser will be allowed to enter the hosting establishment free of charge.
  • Contestants and the contestants dresser are required to conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times. Prohibited behavior is grounds for immediate disqualification and expulsion from the hosting establishment. Prohibited behavior includes but is not limited to:
    • The use of any illegal substances
    • Overconsumption of alcoholic beverages
    • Underage consumption of alcoholic beverages
    • Violent or threatening language or behavior
    • Discriminatory words, statements, actions or other behavior which violate the mission, vision and values of Lancaster PA Pride (see appendix).
    • Theft of, or intentional damage or destruction to real and personal property
  • Lancaster PA Pride reserves the right to make a decision concerning any matters not covered in these rules and regulations and/or the contestant agreement.

C. TITLEHOLDER OBLIGATIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES

  • The winners (hereafter, “Titleholder”) of the pageant will assume the title of Mr., Miss, or Mx. Lancaster PA Pride for the 2023-2024 season. 
  • Titleholder is obligated to and agrees to the following:
    • Appear at a minimum of three (3) events chosen by Lancaster Pride.
    • Serve on the Events Committee or Entertainment Committee or both for the remainder of the 2023 calendar year and for the following calendar year of 2024.
    • Take a lead role in planning and executing a fundraising event for Lancaster Pride Association. 
    • Perform on the Lancaster Pride Festival Main Stage as a reigning titleholder. Performance time to be determined.
    • Attend a Meet & Greet in the Lancaster Pride Festival.
    • Titleholder also understands that their title is purely honorary and carries with it no inherent rights, privileges, or responsibilities beyond the specific responsibilities outlined in Section D of this document and that Titleholder cannot independently act on behalf of or make official representations for Lancaster Pride.

D. LANCASTER PRIDE REMEDIES

In the event Titleholder is unwilling or unable to fulfill their obligations and responsibilities outlined above, or if the Titleholder defaults on any of the provisions included in this contestant agreement, Lancaster Pride retains the right at its absolute and sole discretion to any or more of the following:

  • Revoke or rescind the title from the Titleholder.
  • Refuse bookings and appearances of any official nature to the Titleholder.
  • Refuse entry into any future pageants or Lancaster Pride events.
  • Other remedies not listed above.

E. HOLD HARMLESS

Contestant/Titleholder agrees to indemnify Lancaster Pride Association., its officers, directors and employees, volunteers or other agents, and hold them harmless with respect to any defense that they shall be required to make in connection with any claim or action arising out of Contestant’s/Titleholder’s involvement/participation with the pageant, parade or festival, including the payment of reasonable attorney’s fees.