STEPDANCE RULES

 1.     Contestants in the OPEN CLASS, 18 & Under class, and 15 & Under class must dance a CLOG, JIG and REEL in that order without stopping. If there are more than ten (10) contestants in the 15&Under category, the Committee may ask the contestants to perform a REEL only. The finalists will be required to perform a CLOG, JIG and REEL in that order.

2.     Contestants in the 6&Under, 9&Under, Novice, 12&Under, must perform a REEL only. 19-49 and 50+ class may choose a CLOG, JIG or REEL. 

3.     Contestants may employ their own accompaniment or use the House Musicians provided by the contest (fiddle and piano).

4.     Contestants may not give any signal to their accompanist during performance, signifying a request to change to a JIG or REEL. In that event, points will be deducted.

5.     Points will be awarded on basis of: showmanship, execution and precision, as well as step timing and style.

6.     GROUP CLASSES: To be in groups of 2 to 6, over a five minute period of judged performance. A person may dance in one GROUP only. Top three in the Open Group Class will perform Saturday Night. Contestants in group dancing may use any stepdance routine, not necessarily a CLOG, JIG, REEL.

7.     Competitors for Youngest Dancer Trophy will have to independently execute formulated steps.

8.     To qualify as a Junior Group Stepdance group, the average age must be under 13 years. (Divide the total ages of competitors by the number of dancers in the group. Example: 12.9, 12.8, etcetera, is considered 12 & Under).

9.     Competitors are encouraged to use routines which reflect the “Old Time Fiddle and Stepdance” style. New ideas and influences are welcome but should be done in moderation.

10.  Should the accompanist make an error to throw the dancer off time, or should an accident beyond the performer’s control occur, the dancer may stop and have the opportunity to perform again, at the discretion of the judges. Contestant will be allowed 1(one) re-dance only.

11.  No Rag or Novelty Tunes, such as Buck Fever Rag, etcetera, allowed except in Group Dancing.

12. Winners of Step Dance categories will receive their prize(s) and perform again in the Final Show on Saturday night.