Persons who are billed as entertainers at this year's festival are not eligible to enter any contests for this year, except Band Scramble.

Contestants may use only acoustic instruments. No electric instruments will be allowed. Contestants may have one rhythm instrument for accompaniment. Contestants will be allowed ONE instrument on stage.

The contest committee reserves the right to eliminate contestants whose style of playing and selection of materials is not in keeping with the flavor of the contest. A medley of tunes is not acceptable. No tune may be repeated within the same contest.

In an effort to judge the contestants objectively and equally, blind judging will be used. The following criteria will be considered by the judges and assigned point values in each area:

ARRANGEMENT: 40 points - Contestant's version of the tune selected. Is it appropriate to the rune and arrangement? Is the tune in keeping with the flavor of the contest? Is the arrangement original or a known arrangement?

EXECUTION & ARTICULATION: 40 points - Are the notes buzzing & muddy or are they clear & distinct? Tone - are the notes full or dull? Timing - is the tempo steady & constant? Dexterity - are the notes played in difficult positions up and/or down the fingerboard or is the piece played for the most part in first and/or second positions?

SHOW VALUE: 10 points - The music should be played with life and feeling. It should not appear listless nor should it drag.

OVERALL IMPRESSION: 10 points - Judges discretion. Some things to consider are: Is this an overplayed contest tune? Am I playing with confidence?

Contestants must be registered within 10 minutes after last call is made. You must be at the designated area to draw for order of appearance and to receive final instructions. Once on stage, speaking is not permitted.

The WYOMING STATE FLATPICK or FINGERPICK CONTEST is open to everyone, except the person who won the year prior to this year's STATE FLATPICK or FINGERPICK CONTEST (i.e., one year wait after winning before being able to enter again). Previous winners of the NOVICE GUITAR CONTEST may not enter that contest again.

Contestants will be prepared to play 4 instrumental numbers in traditional fiddle or bluegrass style. Two numbers will be played in the first round, the other two in the second round should the contestant be selected as a finalist. In the event of a tie, ONE additional tune will be played as a tie breaker. All contestants who play in the flatpick contest must play with a flatpick, no fingerpicking or combination of flatpicking and fingerpicking will be allowed.

Entrants for the WYOMING STATE FINGERPICK CONTEST may play any style of music but flatpick and slide techniques are not allowed. Contestants may use thumb and fingerpicks, no flatpicks. A twelve string guitar is allowed however contestants may take only one instrument on stage.

The alteration of the tuning of the low E(6th) string will be permitted. The low E(6th) string can be changed to any note desired, not limited to "Drop D" or a low D note, but to any desired pitch. No other string tuning or variance from standard E(1), B(2), G(3), D(4), A(5) will be permitted. Some slight, overall variance from concert pitch A=440 will be tolerated. Standard or traditional style capos may be used, but NO capos which allow the alteration of individual strings, such as the Third Hand Capo, will be allowed.

1. Entry fee is $5.00 per instrument entered, but you may enter as many as you wish. Only acoustic instruments allowed, with the exception of electric bass guitar.
2. Instrument categories include: guitar, banjo, fiddle, mandolin, bass, and other (harmonica, resonator guitar, etc.).
3. Band members selected by random drawing. Prior to performing, each band should decide on a name for the band. Introductions of band members is encouraged during performance. Bands will have approximately one hour to practice prior to performing.
4. Each band will perform 3 selections of their choice, with medleys counting as a single selection. Music should be of bluegrass, old time, or folk style. One vocal number should be included as 1 of the 3 selections.
5. Judging will be based on audience decision, therefore, stage presence and overall impression will be important (hint: The best sounding band may not have the best stage presence or most appeal!).