Eligibility to Enter:
Only fully-registered attendees are eligible to enter the competitions. Sign-up (for a fee) is available during registration.

Entry Limitation:
Participants are allowed to enter one piece per category. Each competition category is initially limited to twelve (12) competitors, accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

Collaboration Guidelines:
Teams can perform together, but only one member will be officially recognized for scoring and awards.

Supply Policy:
T&S does not provide balloons, inflators, or other materials for dresses/costumes. However, participants are free to seek sponsorship for products.

Last Minute Entries:
Contact the competition director to inquire about late entry availability.

Model Responsibility: It's up to competitors to arrange their own models for the competition.

Communication and Compliance:
Promptly respond to any requests for information regarding your entry. We will reach out for specifics about the size and any technical aspects of your sculpture. Failure to respond to inquiry or adhering to guidelines may disqualify your entry from awards.

Material:
At least 75% of each dress or costume must be made from latex balloons.

Attachment and Decoration:
All methods of construction (ex. Glue, wire, monofilament, EMT) are permissible. Surface decoration (ex. Paint, marker, vinyl, gemstones) are allowed. No confetti allowed.

Balloons should be the predominant element of the sculpture.

Additional Elements: Body paint, makeup, and accessories are permitted but will not influence judging.

Mobility: Models must be able to safely navigate steps and move comfortably on and off the stage in dresses and costumes. Stair width can vary depending upon location.

Audience Appropriateness:
Designs should be suitable for all audience members.

Supplies:
You are responsible for bringing any framing, dress forms, etc. needed for your entry.

Sculpture building can occur at any time or location. Sculpture (or parts of it) can be built before the convention.

Priority access to the Competition room is available for large sculpture building. Space may be available for Balloon Dress & Costume construction, contact us for details.

Pending space availability, Competition Room access is available:
• Tuesday 6 am to 6 pm
• Wednesday 6 am to 6 pm
• Thursday 8 am to 12 noon

Performance Order:
Order will be posted 30 minutes before the show. If there is a discrepancy of the rules, please check with the producer and stage management.

Stage Presentation:
No items are to be thrown into the audience or on stage by the competitors. Each entry must be showcased on stage in the predetermined order. Failure to be ready at the assigned time will result in disqualification.

MC Introduction:
Artists are required to provide the MC with a brief written introduction or suggested phrases for their stage intros.

Sound System:
A standard sound system with audio inputs will be available. If you have custom music, ensure your sound file is pre-loaded on a USB drive or portable audio device and given to the competition director the day before the tech rehearsal.

Music:
Each performer is given a maximum of 3 minutes to use the runway. They can use as much or as little of that time as they choose. Music submissions must be submitted no later than 2 weeks prior to the convention. After this deadline, we cannot guarantee the inclusion of your specific music in our lineup. Email your music to Drew@drewripley.com

Choreography:
Competitors are permitted to incorporate choreography or navigate the runway in any manner they choose, provided that their performance remains family-friendly and does not exceed the allotted time frame of 3 minutes.

No items are to be thrown by competitors or models into the audience at any point.

Strike:
Performers are expected to have their props and balloons cleared within 1 hour of the end of the performance night.

Stage Lighting:
Adequate stage lighting will be provided for all performances.

Stage Design:
The performance area includes a raised platform, complemented by pipe and drape, and/or a balloon backdrop, and wings. Accessible steps will be on either side of the stage. Please ensure your piece can easily access and exit the stage

12:30 PM - Turn in for Fashion and Costume. Fashion and Costumes are not required to be worn by a model for pre-judging. Presentation on a mannequin is fine, but models may wear the outfit if desired.

1:00 - 2:00 PM - Pre-judging for Fashion and Costume

2:00 - 3:00 PM - Mandatory Tech rehearsal for Costume and Fashion

3:00 - 4:30 PM - Pickup Fashions and Costumes from judging

5:15 - 5:30 PM - Models must be dressed and backstage

5:30 - 7:00 PM - Dress rehearsal and Photography for Fashion and Costume.

7:00 PM - Doors open

7:30 PM - Show time

Process & Eligibility:
Fully-registered audience members can cast one (1) vote in each category. Voting is open for 30 minutes at the show's conclusion. This award will go to the competitor who receives the most votes from attendees.

Panel Review: Seven judges, chosen by convention organizers, will represent a mix of balloon professionals, laypersons, fashion and entertainment industry experts

Pieces will be awarded up to 25 points/category: Design, Craftsmanship, Originality and Overall Impact.

Up to 100 points will be awarded/entry
Each competitor's scores will be calculated by discarding the highest and lowest scores from the judges. The total of the remaining five scores will determine the competitor's final score.

Each dress will be evaluated by the Jury Panel for up to 100 points as follows:

• Design and Concept (up to 25 points)
Has there been attention paid to details in the outfit? Is color used effectively in the design? Are the balloon accessories added to the piece appropriate or does it make it feel “messy” or “overwhelming”? Does the outfit appear balanced or unbalanced? In either case, does that add or detract from the design?

• Craftsmanship (up to 25 points)
Does the dress/costume fit properly? Does it look good in motion? Is the technique(s) used to create the piece constructed cleanly or does it appear to be sloppy? Are there leaks or obvious damage to the outfit? Do support elements / mechanics work properly and are they cleanly hidden or are they exposed (if applicable)?

• Originality (up to 25 points)
Is the subject matter of the outfit unique or creative? Does the artist use a technique or unique approach to the subject matter of the piece that makes it different or “original”? Does this outfit look like others you’ve seen before or is it something totally new to you?

• Overall Impact (up to 25 points)
Is the overall impact or message of the outfit clear and concise or are you confused by what it is when you look at it? Does the outfit strike a strong emotional response from you? Do you think it coincides with what the artist wanted you to take away from it?

Contestants can lose up to 10 additional points for lack of Professionalism:

• Submit competitor information sheet, music file, and prop/set details (missing 4 points deducted)

• Arrive by the designated call time on show night (late arrival, deduct 3 points, NOTE: absence from tech rehearsal results in award disqualification.)

• Clean up within 1 hour of the end of show (or deduct 3 points)

Decisions made by judges are final and binding.

Tie-Breaking:
In case of a tie, judges will reconvene to determine the winner through an additional evaluation.

Winners of the Balloon Dress and Costume competition will be announced at the Saturday night banquet.

Score Sheets: A copy will be provided to competitors after the convention upon request.