Capital City Pride Pageant Categories

Contestants must arrive no later than 8:30 PM in a walk around outfit for the pageant. Points will be deducted at a rate of 5 points for every five minutes late, rounding up (8 minutes = 10 points off). Arrivals after 9:30 pm will be automatically disqualified with no refunds. Contestants must sign in with Miranda Mann or her representative to be considered present.

Contestants will be allowed one dresser to assist with costume changing. Because of limited space, dressers should be mindful of other contestants and performers who are also preparing. Any poor sportsmanship in the dressing area by the contestant or their dresser will result in disqualification of the contestant from the pageant. Absolutely no friends other than the dresser of the contestant will be allowed in the dressing area.
Categories will be conducted in this order. Onstage question will only be asked in the event of a tie:

• Creative Pride Costume - 40 Points Possible per Judge
  Suitability of Costume 0-10 Points Hairstyle 0-10 Points
  Presentation (Modeling Techniques, Poise, Smile, etc.) 0 -10 Points
  General Appearance (Make-Up, Shoes, Costume Condition, Accessories) 0-10 Points
  Creative Pride Costume will be the most creative apparel of the pageant. It will be a statement of the contestant's style and creativity. The attire and accessories should be in perfect condition. It is the contestant's responsibility to take care of the costume and keep the costume in perfect condition for the duration of the pageant. The hems of the costume should be even unless the style is an uneven bottom. The judges should not be able to see through any part of the costume unless that is the style. Costumes should be in good taste and appropriate for a family oriented public event. No nudity or partial nudity is allowed.
  Jewelry should accessorize and not be overpowering. Shoes should complement the costume and must be worn. Shoes should not be scuffed, worn at the toe or heels, and not seen to bend under the weight of the contestant. Modeling should be a slow easy pace, touching the three points that form a triangle at least once. At each point the contestant will make a slow turn, facing the back of the stage, pause, and turn to the front of the stage so that the judges may see your entire costume. Modeling can be "free-style" (no boundaries i.e. no hand gesture limitations in your modeling presentation). You should also keep in mind that an "overstated presentation" of costume may not appeal to every judge. Practice turning and walking in the shoes you will be wearing during this presentation. Each contestant will model their costume for a minimum of one minute. If a judge wants a closer look, he/she can motion the contestant to the judge's table. Hair should be appropriate for costume and compliment both the contestant and the style of the gown. Hair can be in any style, including either an "up-style" or "down-style" provided it is complementary to the overall look of the contestant.
• Talent - 40 Points Possible Per Judge
  Showmanship and Props 0 - 10 points;
  Choreograph (Physical Coordination and Stage Presence 0 -10 points; Quality (Lip-Sync, Live Vocal, and/or Other Entertainment 0 - 10 points; Value (of Presentation as Entertainment) 0 - 10 points
  Contestants will be judged on their quality of lip-sync, live vocal, or other entertainment. Judges will be looking to see if the contestant knows the words to their song and finishes each word. The contestant should also look as if he/she is actually singing the song. Is it believable? If it is a live performance, is the talent of good quality? If there is choreography, the steps should flow. Do not attempt to do something that is beyond your talent. Only props that can be carried on stage by the contestant and up to two assistants will be allowed. Construction will be judged. Do not bring something on the stage you are not going to use or that does not have relation to your talent. Contestants are responsible for their props. Props may not be bulky in size and should fit on the  venue’s stage or the immediate floor area in front of the stage without blocking the flow of customer traffic. Props that are an obstruction to other contestants or performers must be kept within the vehicle and brought inside just prior to the contestants turn at the talent competition. Props should be removed immediately following the contestant’s talent, and may not be stored in the building. If a prop falls apart or collapses on stage, points will be deducted from your score. Costuming should reflect the mood you are trying to establish. Always examine your presentation for entertainment value. Does it please, cause laughter, sadness or stir some other emotion? Talent presentations will be limited to five (5) minutes .No score will be given in the talent category for any presentation over five (5) minutes in length. All talent presentations must be on a jump drive. The file should be labeled "Name of Contestant - Name of Talent". It is your responsibility to make sure your jump drive is in proper working order. Pyrotechnics are not allowed. NO FIRE (including but not limited to a lit cigarette), LOOSE GLITTER, CONFETTI, FOOD or LIQUIDS (including but not limited to water) or LIVE ANIMALS whatsoever (contestants will receive a zero (0) for violation of this
  regulation).
• On Stage Question - 30 Points Possible Per Judge
  Stage Presence (Personality, Poise, Mic. Handling) 0 to 10 Points Ability to communicate 0 to 10 Points
  Answer content 0 to 10 Points
  Contestants will be given a question in a sealed envelope. The contestant will read the question to his or herself, then provide the question to the emcee who will read it aloud twice. Scoring will be based on personality and poise, the ability to communicate on a microphone in front of an audience, and the context of the answer in relation to the topic given. Contestants should take a brief pause before answering the question. However, an extended delay will result in the deduction of points.
  
  

OFFICIAL PAGEANT RULES AND REGULATIONS

The term Capital City Pride or Capital City Pride System shall refer to the pageant officials consisting of former Capital City Pride title holders and Pridefest committee officials.

1. Contestants must be: male (as a drag queen/female illusion) for Ms Capital City Pride, male or female (as a drag king/male illusion) for Mr Capital City Pride, or  female for Mz  Capital City Pride, and at least the age of 18 prior to the date of the pageant entered. There are no gender stipulations applied to the Royal Capital City Pride Pageant. A state issued (with photograph) identification must be provided at the time of pageant. Contestants must be a resident of Baton Rouge or  the  immediate  surrounding area as determined by the pageant officials. If for any reason the promoter finds any cause to investigate the age or residency status of the contestant, reasonable measures will be taken for that investigation and the contestant will be informed if just validation is found disqualifying them under this rule. All contestants must be a citizen of the United States.
2. Any potential contestant who is currently in  open  criminal  proceedings  for  a  felony, currently on felony probation or is in current retribution for a crime, will be denied entry as a contestant. A contestant who has successfully completed felony probation, or whose criminal case is dismissed, will be eligible to enter. Verification of criminal status may be checked. More than one misdemeanor will not be tolerated and could likewise result in  entry denial. Any contestant found to be untruthful about their criminal status will be permanently removed from eligibility within the system.
3. Judging will be based on a total points accumulated  system.  Score  sheets  will  be  furnished by Capital City Pride Officials. Ties will be broken by the answering of questions by the persons involved in the “tied’ score. If such “tie-breaking” action is required, the “tie-  break” question will be scored according to the On-Stage Question category matrix. The Pageant scoring will be done on a cumulative basis. The practice of dropping  the high and low scores will not be tolerated. The reigning representatives may question a judge’s score and may eliminate the judge’s score sheet altogether, if the  scores  are deemed  to be  biased; however the practice of automatically dropping scores is not permitted by anyone.
4. Contestants will be judged in the following categories: Talent and Creative Pride Costume. Onstage question will only be asked in the event of a tie.
5. Competition music (jump drive only) must be submitted in quality condition (i.e properly labeled files and with no  damage  that  affects  “play”).  Any substandard  music  submitted will receive administrative point deductions. Talent music will be imported by the pageant coordinator and placed on a jump drive maintained by George’s. The pageant coordinator will also create a backup jump drive. Contestants will have their jump drive returned after import, with a brief cycle through of the imported music to insure the song copied.
6. The use or dispensing of marijuana or any illegal drug will not be tolerated while a contestant (or entertainer) is participating in the Official Pageant, or preliminary thereof. Immediate disqualification will result for those who break this rule. Contestants (as well as their helpers) may be disqualified if usage of such drugs is detected in the contestant’s luggage or on their person etc. Contestants are responsible for their assistants and will be penalized if anyone affiliated with their presentation is found to be in violation of this regulation.
7. Any solo talent presentation is acceptable, except those presentations that might cause injury to the audience or to other contestants. Pyrotechnics are not allowed. NO FIRE (including but not limited to a lit cigarette), LOOSE GLITTER, CONFETTI, FOOD OR LIQUIDS, including but not limited to water, WHATSOEVER. Any violators will receive a zero (0) in the category for which this regulation violation occurred. For more information on category description, please refer to the Category Description section attached to this document.
8. Any contestant caught in  the  act  of  stealing  will  immediately  be  disqualified  and  removed from the location  of  the  pageant.  Additionally,  non-compliance  with  this regulation will result in the permanent  disqualification  from  entry  into  the  Capital  City  Pride pageant, or any preliminary thereof.
9. Any contestant whose actions are interpreted as demeaning or disrespectful to the title of Capital City Pride will be disqualified. Capital City Pride reserves the right of final determination of what is considered to be demeaning behavior.
10. The winner will receive a crown, sash, and a cash prize of $300. The cash prize will be paid $100 the night of the pageant, and $200 upon a successful completion of their reign at the following year’s pageant.   
    
11. Any contestant who is chosen as winner must reside within the state during his reign. Failure to reside in the state, during the reign, will result in the revocation of the title as well as any appearance stream.
12. Any contestant who is chosen as winner must attend Pridefest of the same year of their reign, at least 50% of all Pridefest fundraising/community events during the year, and the next year’s pageant, signifying the end of their reign upon crowning of a successor. Failure to attend, during the reign, will result in the revocation of the title as well  as any appearance stream.
13. Any contestant who is chosen as winner must raise a minimum of $500 for Baton Rouge Pride by the end if their reign. The fundraiser:
    1. must be approved by the Baton Rouge Pride board.
    2. may not overlap any pre-planned Baton Rouge Pride fundraisers.
    3. must be planned a minimum of 5 weeks in advance.
       Winner is required to promote the fundraiser though approved Baton Rouge Pride imagery. Should two or more title holders wish to combine efforts for a fundraiser, the total amount raised will be divided equally and count toward each of their $500 goals. 
14. Any contestant who is chosen as winner must post 5 social media posts promoting Baton Rouge Pride on social media each month during their reign. Posts may not exceed 2 per  week. Winners should maintain friendship with Miranda Mann and the Chair of the Baton Rouge Pride Board. Should the winner post anything that is determined to no uphold the standards of Baton Rouge Pride, the winner must remove the referenced post within 24 hours of notification to do so.
15. The contestant chosen as first alternate must be prepared to fulfill the duties of the  titleholder, if for any reason the titleholder is unable to fulfill his duty. The first  alternate  winner does not have right of refusal to be promoted to the titleholder position, if the opportunity occurs with zero (0) days to six (6) months from the date of that  particular  contest. Should the contestant decline the promotion, within the aforementioned timeline, a one-year minimal suspension, shall be levied against that contestant. If the promotion opportunity occurs after six (6) months from the date of that particular contest, the first alternate has acceptance option, without declination penalty.
16. Revocation of a contestants title or pageant placement will result in the requirement of the contestant, to repay any prizes previous distributed. Failure to repay prizes (or cash equivalent) will result in the suspension of the contestant, until repayment is completed
    
17. All titleholders and contestants of any Capital City Pride System must adhere to these minimum guidelines of conduct:
    1. Present   themselves   professionally, as   defined by Capital City Pride while representing their respective titles at all times
    2. Never demean the pageant or title they represent
    3. Never cause substantial problems for their promoters or for those for whom they perform
    4. Never become intoxicated while representing their respective title
    5. Never participate in  any  type of  argument,   except as a mediator, while representing their title
    6. Attempt  to  solve  any  problems  with  Promoters  and/or  co-performers  in  a peaceful manner and in good faith. Problems may be mediated through the Capital City Pride officials.
    7. Never lecture the audience, only provide quality entertainment
18. Violating      the      minimum      guidelines      of      conduct      may      result      in the disqualification/revocation of the title and/or jeopardize the winner’s/first  alternate’s  standing with Capital City Pride. Capital City Pride shall  make  final decision  for revocation  of any titleholder or qualification position.
19. Any contestant who has qualified or has  intention  to  qualify to  any Capital City Pride may not judge (during the year in which they  intend  to  compete),  any  contest  that  is  designated as part of the Capital City Pride system