CA Garlic Festival Scholarship Pageant

Dear Pageant Contestants,

WELCOME! We are excited to invite you to participate in the annual California Garlic Festival Scholarship Pageant. You have the exciting opportunity to be one of FIVE "Queens of the Festival" and represent one of the most prestigious community events in the Central Valley region, the California Garlic Festival, which will be held August 30 - September 1, 2024 at our NEW home at the Merced County Spring Fairgrounds in Los Banos, California.

Basic Info: (please refer to Terms & Conditions below for complete rules)

1. Residency: Open to legal residents of California.
2. Age Divisions: Your age and marital status as of August 1st determines your age division as follows:
   • Teen Division for ages 12-15
   • Miss Division for ages 16-21 (unmarried, without children)
   • Ms. Division for ages 18-29 (any marital or maternal status)
   • Elite Ms. Division for ages 30-49
   • Ms. Division for ages 50+
3. Areas of Competition: 
   
   • 45% On-Stage Interview
   • 30% Fun-Fashion ("Boots & Bling" western wear theme)
   • 25% Formal Wear
4. Prizes:
   • All Contestants: will be featured in a fun show LIVE on stage during the festival and receive three complimentary passes valid for the entire 3-day run of the festival. (Note for contestants under 18, one guest MUST be parent/ guardian)
   • Royal Court: One winner from each age division will be awarded queen title and receive a custom sash and crown; additionally: 
     • Teen Miss California Garlic Festival 2024 will earn $250 cash scholarship
     • Miss California Garlic Festival 2024 will earn $1,000 cash scholarship
   • The 1st Runner-up (2nd Place) from each age division will be announced on stage and receive a certificate of commendation. If any age division has max number of entries, then a 2nd Runner-up (3rd Place) will also be announced.
   • Special Awards:
     • Congeniality Award - selected by the contestants; awarded to individual from all age divisions combined and has no bearing on the outcome of the competition. Also invited to serve on Royal Court.
     • Spirit Award - selected by the directors and festival staff based upon participation and display of character; awarded to individual from all age divisions combined and has no bearing on overall outcome of competition. Also invited to serve on Royal Court.
     • Sunshine Award - special recognition for all of our differently-abled contestants
     • Photogenic Award - selected by judges from contestant-submitted photos; awarded to contestant in each age division; no bearing on overall outcome of competition
     • Fun Fashion Award - selected by the judges; awarded to contestant in each age division that earns high score in Fun Fashion phase of competition
     • People's Choice Award - voted online by general public during specified voting period. Votes are $1 each. Contestant who receives largest number of votes will be eligible to receive portion of proceeds as a prize and name a 501c3 organization to also receive portion of the proceeds.
5. Participation Dates:
   • REQUIRED:
     • July 1st - Application Deadline (online)
     • July 15th - Pageant Bio & Headshot Deadline (online)
     • August 31st California Garlic Festival Day 1 and Pageant Competition Day 10:00 am - 6:00 pm Merced County Spring Fairgrounds at 403 F Street, Los Banos, CA 93635
   • OPTIONAL:
     • July 20th Pageant Orientation & Workshop Time & Location TBD in Los Banos, CA
     • July 30th People's Choice Award online voting begins at 5:00 pm

     • August 17th Pageant Rehearsal Time & Location TBD in Los Banos, CA

     • August 24th Prince & Princess Mixer (Group Service Project) Time & Location TBD in Los Banos, CA

     • August 30th People's Choice Award online voting closes at 5:00 pm
     • September 1st California Garlic Festival Day 2 - Prince & Princess Show Day 10:00 am - 4:00 pm Merced County Spring Fairgrounds at 403 F Street, Los Banos, CA 93635

Please carefully review the Terms and Conditions below as they are the official rules and regulations for this program.

Please make sure that you review our Official Pageant Guide linked below for in-depth information and helpful tips for sucess in our program.

We look forward to working with you this year!

In the family spirit of pageantry,
Shim Lacy
Pageant Coordinator
Phone/Text: (209) 518-3915
Email: ShimLacy@gmail.com

1. RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS: Contestant must be a legal resident of the state of California.
2. AGE REQUIREMENTS: Contestant must be a female and at least 12 years of age as of August 1, 2024.
   1. Contestants between the ages of 12-15 compete in the Teen Division. Teen Division Contestants must be unmarried, never have been married, never had a child, and NOT be pregnant nor become pregnant or married during the year of her reign if chosen as a queen; also must NOT be suspended or expelled from school at the time of the pageant or during the dates of the festival nor may she be suspended or expelled during the year of her reign if chosen as a queen.
   2. Contestants between the ages of 16-21 who are unmarried, never have been married, never had a child and are not pregnant compete in the Miss Division. Miss Division Contestants must remain unmarried, not pregnant and without children during the year of her reign if chosen as a queen. Additionally, may NOT be suspended or expelled from school at the time of the pageant or during the dates of the festival or during the year of her reign if chosen as a queen.
      1. Contestants between the ages 18-21 who are unmarried, not pregnant and without children as of August 1st may alternatively choose EITHER the Miss OR Ms. Division.
   3. Contestants between the ages of 18-29 of any maternal or marital status compete in the Ms. Division.
   4. Contestants between the ages of 30-49 compete in the Elite Ms. Division.
   5. Contestants age 50 or older compete in the Classic Ms. Division.
3. APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:
   1. Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis.
   2. Applications that are incomplete or not received by the Entry Deadline may NOT be accepted.
   3. Pageant may limit number of entries or edit age divisions based upon overall final number of entries.
4. PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS: Contestant shall participate in the following activities:
   
   1. REQUIRED:
      1. July 1st - Application Deadline (online)
      2. July 15th - Pageant Bio & Headshot Deadline (online)
      3. August 31st California Garlic Festival Day 1 and Pageant Competition Day 10:00 am - 6:00 pm Merced County Spring Fairgrounds at 403 F Street, Los Banos, CA 93635
   2. OPTIONAL:
      1. July 20th Pageant Orientation & Workshop Time & Location TBD in Los Banos, CA
      2. July 30th People's Choice Award online voting begins at 5:00 pm
      3. August 17th Pageant Rehearsal Time & Location TBD in Los Banos, CA

      4. August 24th Princess Mixer (Group Service Project) Time & Location TBD in Los Banos, CA

      5. August 30th People's Choice Award online voting closes at 5:00 pm
      6. September 1st California Garlic Festival Day 2 and Princess Show Day 10:00 am - 3:00 pm Merced County Spring Fairgrounds at 403 F Street, Los Banos, CA 93635
5. JUDGING CRITERIA: Each contestant agrees to be judged and receive a score in each of the following areas of competition:
   1. 45% On-Stage Interview
   2. 30% Fun Fashion 
   3. 25% Formal Wear
6. WARDROBE REQUIREMENTS: Contestant is responsible for providing their own wardrobe for all areas of the program, which includes:
   1. Orientation & Rehearsal: casual attire
   2. Prince & Princess Mixer: sundress or romper
   3. Fun Fashion: outfit of choice that fits in the "Boots & Bling" western wear theme
   4. Formal Wear & On-Stage Question: floor-length evening gown or formal pantsuit in any color
7. PRIZES: The California Garlic Festival Scholarship Pageant will award the following prizes:
   
   1.  QUEENS: The individual with the highest overall score in each age division shall be awarded the following titles, win a rhinestone embroidered sash, crown & flowers and other prizes as specified here:
      1. Teen Division Winner will be Teen Miss California Garlic Festival; she will receive $250 cash scholarship upon the successful conclusion of her reign.
      2. Miss Division Winner will be Miss California Garlic Festival; she will receive $1,000 cash scholarship upon the successful conclusion of her reign.
      3. Ms. Division Winner will be Ms. California Garlic Festival
      4. Elite Ms. Division Winner will be Elite Ms. California Garlic Festival
      5. Classic Ms. Division Winner will be Classic Ms. California Garlic Festival
   2. RUNNERS-UP: The individual with the second highest overall score in each age division shall be named 1st Runner-Up.
      1. Should the winners named in the pageant be unable to fulfill their duties as their title, the 1st Runner-Up may be invited to take over the title and duties at the discretion of the pageant directors.
      2. When there are max number of entries in any age division, the individual with the third highest overall score shall be awarded the prize of 2nd Runner-Up.
   3. ROYAL COURT: The recipients of the following awards will be invited to serve on the Royal Court and attend events with the Queens, at the discretion of the pageant director; they will each receive a tiara, sash and flowers:
      1. Spirit Award: individual(s) chosen by the pageant directors from amongst all age divisions combined for outstanding character and participation shall be awarded the prize of California Garlic Festival Spirit
      2. Congeniality Award: individual(s) chosen by the contestants from all age divisions combined shall be awarded the prize of California Garlic Festival Congeniality
   4. Fun Fashion Award: The individual(s) in each age division with the highest score in the Fun Fashion phase of competition as chosen by the judges panel shall be awarded a prize.
   5. Photogenic Award: The individual(s) chosen by the online judges panel in each age division from headshot photographs provided shall be awarded a prize. This award has no bearing on the overall outcome of the competition and is judged by a separate panel of judges prior to the festival weekend.
   6. Sunshine Award: Individuals have the option to identify themselves in their application as having a disability. (cognitive, physical or any other) They shall receive a tiara and sash. This award has no bearing on the overall outcome of the competition. Recipients who receive this award are still eligible for any/all other awards as applicable. NOTE: The individual's specific disability is not announced on stage nor is it required to identify or announce any specific disability. This award is only intended for inspirational purposes.
   7. People's Choice Award: Individual who earns the most votes in the optional online voting shall receive portion of proceeds as a prize and have the opportunity to designate a 501c3 non-profit to also receive a portion of the proceeds.
8. BACKSTAGE ACCESS: No one, except committee and staff, will be allowed backstage with contestants during pageant without express permission of the pageant directors.
9. LOST/STOLEN ARTICLES: The pageant directors, individual committee members, festival committee members, nor Noceti Group Inc. shall not be held liable for any accident, personal injury, or damaged, lost or stolen items as a result of participation in the pageant or festival related events.
10. HOLD HARMLESS AGREEMENT: In consideration for allowed entry and participation in all activities associated with the California Garlic Festival, Contestant and Parent/ Guardian does hereby RELEASE, INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HARMLESS, the pageant committee, their present and former officers, directors, members, staff, sponsors and agents from all claims, injury, loss, or damage that may accrue as a result of entry into and participation thereof. Contestant and Parent/ Guardian further acknowledge and understand that they alone will be held liable and responsible for any and all personal injuries or damages to property, caused by them and/or persons, including minor(s) under their care, custody and control.
11. MEDIA RELEASE: Each participant will be featured on the official Miss California Garlic Festival Pageant & Princess Program Facebook page that will include their head shot and fun facts & information provided on their Program Bio. Additional media features may also include newspaper and television both online and in print form. Each participant will be featured LIVE on-stage during the California Garlic Festival Pageant which will take place on Day 2 of the Festival as follows: (1) Fun Fashion Runway (2) Formal Wear & On-Stage Interview (3) Coronation "Crowning" Ceremony which may also include live public broadcast and/or recording for subsequent public broadcast. Contestant & Parent/ Guardian hereby gives consent to the festival and pageant committee to photograph, videotape or otherwise digitally record and use images and/or sound recordings of themselves and their child or children to use in any public media, including radio, TV, internet, social media, print or any affiliated web pages. Contestant and Parent/ Guardian further understands that the intended use of such images and information is solely for the purpose of advertising, marketing, fundraising and or/ the promotional and public awareness purposes of the festival and hereby waive any rights or interest in the images or recordings as contemplated in this release or any expectation of monetary compensation or other personal benefit in perpetuity.
12. QUEEN'S REGALIA: Each Festival Queen (Teen, Miss, and Ms.) are responsible for keeping their crown and sash safe, clean and damage-free once the item has been awarded to them. The queen or parent/guardian of a queen under age 18 is responsible for the entire cost of replacing their crown or sash should it become lost, damaged or stolen.
13. QUEEN'S DUTIES: If chosen as one of the five age division queens, you agree to volunter for the following:
    1. REQUIRED:
       1. Attend Day 3 of the 2024 California Garlic Festival on Sunday, September 1 from 10am-5pm; includes volunteering with Royal Court at California Garlic Festival Prince & Princess Show.
       2. Volunteer with Royal Court at Kid's Night at Stockton 99 Speedway on Saturday, September 14 from 3-10pm.
       3. Participate in at least 10 documented appearances, parades or service projects over the course of the year of your reign. Must submit at least one photo of queen in regalia at the event within 72 hours of the event to pageant director.
       4. Post at least once per month on personal social media page (Facebook or Instagram); post must promote the pageant, the festival or appearances at events or service projects and must include photo of queen in regalia and must tag the festival, the pageant and pageant director.
       5. Attend 2025 San Joaquin Asparagus Festival Scholarship Pageant TBD April 2025
       6. Volunteer with Royal Court at 2025 San Joaquin Asparagus Festival Prince & Princess Show TBD April 2025
       7. Attend Day 1 of 2025 California Garlic Festival TBD August 2025
       8. Volunteer Day 2 of 2025 California Garlic Festival TBD August 2025 to assist with opening ceremonies and crown successor.
    2. OPTIONAL:
       1. Additionally may be invited to attend other events throughout the year, such as charity fundraisers, sporting events & community events. Titleholder is prohibited from attending any event as her title without the advance permission of the pageant directors.
14. RETURNING QUEEN'S ELIGIBILITY: Previous winners of a Teen or Miss Division Queen title are NOT eligible to enter that same age division contest they have previously won. Previous winners of a Ms., Elite Ms. or Classic Ms. Division Queen titles will NOT be permitted to compete in back-to-back years, but MAY return to compete in future pageants after a one-year break.
    1. Winners of the 2024 San Joaquin Asparagus Festival Queen titles are not eligible to enter the 2024 California Garlic Festival Pageant as it takes place during the year of their current reign.
15. RESIGNED/ DISQUALIFIED QUEENS & CONTESTANTS: Any individual who has either previously resigned or been removed from one or both the San Joaquin Asparagus Festival or California Garlic Festival Pageants at any time may be prohibited from competing in either program in the future, subject to express approval of pageant director.
16. CURRENT QUEENS OF OTHER PAGEANTS: Contestants who currently hold any title from any other pageant, scholarship pageant, preliminary pageant or pageant system, must obtain prior approval from this pageant's director in order to compete.
17. NON-COMPETE CLAUSE: The five age division queens must seek prior approval from this pageant's director before competing in any other pageant, scholarship pageant, preliminary pageant, or pageant system.
18. SMOKING/ALCOHOL/CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES: The California Garlic Festival Pageant has a ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY REGARDING SMOKING, CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL OR USE OF ILLEGAL OR CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES. No contestant, queen, parent and /or pageant volunteer shall smoke, consume or use tobacco, any tobacco product, alcohol, marijuana, illegal drugs, or medication or controlled substances used in any manner not prescribed by a medical doctor. This rule is in effect at any and all pageant-related activities, during official pageant or festival appearances and activities all year long. 
    1. “Smoke” or “Smoking” means: (1) inhaling, exhaling, or burning, any tobacco, nicotine, cannabis, or plant product, whether natural or synthetic; (2) carrying any lighted, heated, or activated tobacco, nicotine, cannabis, or plant product, whether natural or synthetic, intended for inhalation; or (3) using an electronic smoking device or hookah.
    2. “Tobacco product” means: (1) any product that is made from or derived from tobacco, or that contains nicotine, that is intended for human consumption or is likely to be consumed, whether inhaled, absorbed, or ingested by any other means, including but not limited to, a cigarette, a cigar, pipe tobacco, chewing tobacco, snuff, or snus; (2) any electronic smoking device and any substances that may be aerosolized or vaporized by such device, whether or not the substance contains nicotine; or (3) any component, part, or accessory of (1) or (2), whether or not any of these contains tobacco or nicotine, including but not limited to filters, rolling papers, blunt or hemp wraps, hookahs, mouthpieces, and pipes. “Tobacco product” does not include drugs, devices, or combination products authorized for sale by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, as those terms are defined in the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
19. CODE OF CONDUCT: Each contestant, regardless of age, and each parent/ guardian of child under age 18, agrees to affirm and adhere to the following code of conduct during time as contestant competing in the California Garlic Festival Pageant and also throughout the ensuing year if chosen as any age division Queen.
    1. Has not committed nor been convicted of any crime (excludes minor traffic violation)
    2. Is NOT currently charged with any felony NOR may they continue to serve if they are charged with any felony during the entire period of their reign if chosen as a Queen or Royal Court member.
    3. Is NOT currently listed on the National Sex Offender Registry OR California Sex Offender Registry.
    4. Will conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the highest standards of public morals, courtesy and professionalism upholding the program values of Integrity, Respect, and Kindness.
       1.  Anyone contestant who displays conduct unbecoming shall be immediately disqualified from the pageant and forfeit any prize or award potentially earned and the next highest scoring individual will be chosen instead.
       2. Any Queen who displays conduct unbecoming shall be immediately disqualified from service and forfeit the crown/ tiara and sash earned and the next highest scoring individual may be chosen for the award at the discretion of the pageant directors.
    5. Will NOT attempt to promote or recruit any current queens or contestants or visiting royalty for ANY OTHER PAGEANT, PAGEANT SYSTEM OR PRINCESS PROGRAM either in person on online until one week after the festival has concluded. 
       1.  Any contestant caught recruiting or promoting ANY OTHER PAGEANT OR PAGEANT SYSTEM prior to or during the pageant will be immediately disqualified from the pageant and forfeit any awards or titles they may earn. 
       2.  Any Queen caught recruiting or promoting ANY OTHER PAGEANT, PAGEANT SYSTEM OR PRINCESS PROGRAM after the pageant during the remainder of the weekend of the festival and within one-week following the festival will immediately forfeit any awards or titles earned and must return all regalia to the pageant director at their own expense within 72 hours of notice of forfeiture. 
    6. Will not defame, slander or libel any other contestant, judge, pageant director or committee member, festival staff or committee member, Noceti Group Inc. or any other individual or entity associated with participation in the California Garlic Festival Pageant program.
       1.  Any defamatory, slanderous or libelous remarks whether verbal, written in text, email or on any social media platform will result in immediate disqualification from the pageant and forfeiture of any prize or award won and may result in legal action.