Rules, Contract and Expectations

Our program is designed to provide a positive, rewarding, and memorable experience for all contestants and families. In order to maintain a respectful, professional, and enjoyable environment for everyone involved, all participants are expected to follow the rules and regulations established by Lancaster Pageants. 

Lancaster Pageants

2026

Delegate/Royalty CONTRACT Miss Division 

I hereby apply as a contestant in Lancaster Pageants 2026 and acknowledge and agree to the following terms and conditions:

1. I will be at least sixteen (16) years of age and not yet twenty (20) years of age as of May 1, 2026.

2. Contestants must meet all eligibility requirements established by Lancaster Pageants and the Antelope Valley Pageant system, including being a natural born female, as reflected on the contestant’s official birth certificate. 

3. I currently attend high school, have earned a diploma or equivalent, or attend college, and I am of good moral character and able to fulfill the responsibilities of the title.

4. I understand that eligibility requirements for participation in the Antelope Valley Pageant system require contestants/titleholders to be unmarried, never have been married, never have had a marriage annulled, not be pregnant, and not be a parent. Should any of these conditions change during my reign, I understand I must immediately notify the Pageant Director and may become ineligible to continue holding the title in accordance with Antelope Valley Pageant system rules.

5. I reside in or attend school within the city limits of Lancaster.

6. I understand that if selected as Miss Lancaster 2026, I will represent Lancaster in the Miss Antelope Valley Pageant and agree to follow all rules, regulations, and eligibility requirements associated with that system.

7. I understand that attendance, professionalism, communication, and community involvement are important responsibilities of being a titleholder. Scholarship awards and opportunities may be based on participation, attendance, and fulfillment of community service and appearance expectations.

8. I understand that appearances, rehearsals, meetings, photoshoots, community service activities, and other pageant-related functions may be scheduled throughout the year. I agree to communicate respectfully and professionally with the Pageant Committee regarding scheduling conflicts or emergencies.

9. I understand that all rehearsals and meetings are intended for contestants/titleholders and the Pageant Committee unless otherwise approved by the committee.

10. I understand that a non-refundable registration fee and sponsorship fee are required as part of participation in Lancaster Pageants.

11. I authorize Lancaster Pageants to verify eligibility requirements if necessary, including residency, school enrollment, or academic standing.

12. If selected as Miss Lancaster 2026, I understand that I represent Lancaster Pageants, the Lancaster community, sponsors, and the Antelope Valley Pageant system. I agree to conduct myself in a respectful, professional, and positive manner during my reign.

13. I understand that social media activity reflects upon both the contestant and Lancaster Pageants. Contestants and titleholders are expected to maintain appropriate and respectful conduct online. Titleholders may be required to connect with official Lancaster Pageants social media accounts and communication platforms for communication, coordination, safety, and monitoring purposes.

14. I understand that failure to follow the rules, maintain eligibility requirements, fulfill responsibilities, or engage in conduct deemed inappropriate by the Pageant Committee may result in disciplinary action, including possible removal of title, awards, scholarships, or associated privileges.

15. I understand that Lancaster Pageants reserves the right to determine contestant eligibility and interpret all rules and policies.

16. By submitting this electronic agreement, I acknowledge that I have read, understand, and agree to follow the rules, expectations, and eligibility requirements established by Lancaster Pageants and the Antelope Valley Pageant system.

17. I grant Lancaster Pageants permission to use my name, likeness, voice, photographs, video recordings, and biography for promotional, advertising, social media, and pageant-related purposes in connection with Lancaster Pageants and the Miss Antelope Valley Pageant system.

18. I release and hold harmless Lancaster Pageants, its committee members, volunteers, sponsors, affiliates, and representatives from claims or liability arising from participation in Lancaster Pageants activities and events.

LANCASTER PAGEANTS

2026

Delegate/Royalty CONTRACT TINY-TEEN

I hereby apply as a contestant in Lancaster Pageants 2026 and acknowledge and agree to the following terms and conditions:

1. I understand that contestants in the Tiny through Teen divisions must be at least 4 years of age and not yet 17 years of age as of September 1, 2026, according to division eligibility requirements.

2. Contestants must meet all eligibility requirements established by Lancaster Pageants and the Antelope Valley Pageant system, including being a natural born female, as reflected on the contestant’s official birth certificate. 

3. I attend school when applicable and am of good health and moral character.

4. I understand that eligibility requirements for participation in the Antelope Valley Pageant system require contestants/titleholders to be unmarried, never have been married, never have had a marriage annulled, not be pregnant, and not be a parent. Should any of these conditions change during my reign, I understand that the Pageant Director must be notified immediately and eligibility may be affected in accordance with Antelope Valley Pageant system rules.

5. I have not entered another community pageant that would disqualify me from competing for an Antelope Valley title.

6. I reside in or attend school within the city limits of Lancaster.

7. I understand that if selected as a Lancaster Community Queen 2026, I will represent Lancaster in the Antelope Valley Pageant system and agree to follow all rules, regulations, and eligibility requirements associated with that system.

8. I understand that attendance, professionalism, communication, sportsmanship, and community involvement are important responsibilities of being a contestant and titleholder.

9. I understand that rehearsals, meetings, appearances, photoshoots, community service activities, and other pageant-related functions may be scheduled throughout the year. Contestants may be accompanied by one parent or caregiver at rehearsals unless otherwise specified by the Pageant Committee.

10. I understand that it is my responsibility to stay informed regarding pageant information, scheduling, and requirements, including any information missed due to absence.

11. I understand that a non-refundable registration fee of $75 is due upon application submission. I also understand that contestants are required to obtain sponsorships and submit the required sponsorship fee by the first official practice. Once accepted as a contestant, sponsorship fees become non-refundable.

12. I authorize Lancaster Pageants to verify eligibility requirements if necessary, including residency, school enrollment, or academic standing.

13. If selected as a Lancaster Community Queen, I understand that I represent Lancaster Pageants, the Lancaster community, sponsors, and the Antelope Valley Pageant system. I agree to conduct myself in a respectful, professional, and positive manner throughout my reign.

14. I understand that social media activity reflects upon both the contestant and Lancaster Pageants. Contestants and titleholders are expected to maintain appropriate and respectful conduct online. Titleholders may be required to connect with official Lancaster Pageants social media accounts and communication platforms for communication, coordination, safety, and monitoring purposes.

15. I understand that failure to follow the rules, maintain eligibility requirements, fulfill responsibilities, or engage in conduct deemed inappropriate by the Pageant Committee may result in disciplinary action, including possible removal of title, awards, scholarships, or associated privileges.

16. I understand that Lancaster Pageants reserves the right to determine contestant eligibility and interpret all rules and policies.

17. By submitting this electronic agreement, I acknowledge that I have read, understand, and agree to follow the rules, expectations, and eligibility requirements established by Lancaster Pageants and the Antelope Valley Pageant system.

18. I grant Lancaster Pageants permission to use my name, likeness, voice, photographs, video recordings, and biography for promotional, advertising, social media, and pageant-related purposes in connection with Lancaster Pageants and the Antelope Valley Pageant system.

19. I release and hold harmless Lancaster Pageants, its committee members, volunteers, sponsors, affiliates, and representatives from claims or liability arising from participation in Lancaster Pageants activities and events.

LANCASTER PAGEANTS

2026

Parent/Contestant Code of Conduct

Lancaster Pageants is committed to providing a positive, respectful, and rewarding experience for all contestants and families. Participation in Lancaster Pageants is considered a privilege, and all contestants, parents, guardians, and family members are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that reflects the values of leadership, sportsmanship, professionalism, and community representation.

1. Social Media Conduct
   Contestants and parents understand that social media activity reflects upon themselves, their family, and Lancaster Pageants. All participants are expected to conduct themselves online with respect, kindness, and professionalism. Harassment, bullying, slander, inappropriate behavior, or negative conduct toward contestants, families, volunteers, sponsors, judges, or committee members may result in disciplinary action determined by the Pageant Committee.

2. Representation and Participation
   Lancaster Pageants is a recognized community pageant program within the Antelope Valley Pageant system. Titleholders are expected to represent Lancaster Pageants positively and participate in required appearances, events, and activities associated with their title.

3. Antelope Valley Participation
   Participation in the Antelope Valley Pageants is mandatory for all Lancaster titleholders. Therefore, Lancaster Pageants will sponsor and pay the required Antelope Valley pageant entry fees for all eligible titleholders.

4. Scholarship Eligibility
   Contestants who do not meet the minimum Lancaster Pageants fundraising requirements will not be eligible to receive scholarship awards or scholarship-related benefits.

5. Scholarship Distribution
   Scholarships for eligible titleholders will be distributed based on the total number of approved volunteer and appearance hours completed during their reign. Each eligible titleholder’s scholarship amount will be determined by the percentage of total hours they individually completed compared to the total combined hours completed by all eligible Lancaster titleholders.
   For example, if Miss Lancaster completes 500 approved hours and the total combined hours completed by all eligible titleholders equals 2,000 hours, Miss Lancaster would receive 25% of the available scholarship fund for her pageant division.
   The scholarship fund consists of remaining proceeds after pageant operating expenses are paid, along with additional fundraising completed specifically for Lancaster Pageants during the titleholders’ reign. Fundraising completed for charitable organizations, outside organizations, or the Antelope Valley Pageants will not be included in scholarship fund calculations.

6. Financial Responsibility
   Families understand that certain expenses throughout the year may remain the responsibility of the contestant and family, including but not limited to optional clothing, replacement items, travel expenses, parade participation costs, or additional appearance-related items. Hardship assistance requests may be submitted to the Pageant Committee for review.

7. Sponsorships and Fees
   Contestants may personally pay required fees or obtain sponsors to assist with pageant expenses. Sponsorships are considered advertising opportunities and sponsor names may be included in pageant programs or promotional materials. All registration fees, sponsorship fees, and entry fees become non-refundable once submitted.

8. Conduct and Respect
   Contestants, parents, family members, volunteers, and staff are expected to treat one another with kindness and respect at all times. Disrespectful behavior, harassment, bullying, threats, verbal altercations, physical altercations, or ongoing negative conduct toward contestants, families, judges, volunteers, or committee members may result in disciplinary action. Disciplinary action may include deduction of pre-pageant points, removal from appearances or activities, disqualification, or removal from the program.

9. Dressing Room and Backstage Policies
   Lancaster Pageants maintains backstage and dressing room policies for contestant safety, organization, and fairness. Only authorized contestants, approved dressers, volunteers, and staff members may enter restricted backstage areas. Additional backstage and dressing room guidelines will be provided prior to pageant weekend.

10. Electronics and Safety
    Contestants and families are expected to follow all safety, backstage, and dressing room procedures established by Lancaster Pageants. Failure to follow safety procedures or unauthorized use of prohibited items in restricted areas may result in disciplinary action, including deduction of pre-pageant points or disqualification from that year’s pageant.

11. Pageant Rules and Judging
    All judging decisions are final. Winners are determined through the official judging process, category scoring, and pre-pageant points system established by Lancaster Pageants. Pre-pageant points may be awarded or deducted based on attendance, punctuality, professionalism, communication, sportsmanship, conduct, and fulfillment of pageant responsibilities. Lancaster Pageants, directors, volunteers, sponsors, and affiliated organizations do not select winners outside of the official scoring process.

12. Judges and Scoring
    Judges are selected as fairly and impartially as possible. Every effort is made to select judges who do not personally know contestants or their families. When possible, judges may be selected from outside of Lancaster or the Antelope Valley area. Scores are tabulated electronically and verified for accuracy by multiple individuals.

13. Disqualification and Removal
    Failure to follow pageant rules, eligibility requirements, conduct expectations, or contractual obligations may result in disciplinary action, including possible disqualification, removal of title, forfeiture of awards or prizes, and return of official Lancaster Pageants property.

14. Media Release and Liability Waiver
    By participating in Lancaster Pageants, contestants and parents/guardians grant permission for Lancaster Pageants to use names, photographs, video recordings, likenesses, and biographies for promotional, advertising, social media, and pageant-related purposes. Participants also release Lancaster Pageants, its volunteers, affiliates, sponsors, and representatives from liability arising from participation in pageant-related activities and events.

15. Electronic Agreement
    By submitting this form electronically, I acknowledge that I have read, understand, and agree to follow the rules, expectations, policies, and procedures established by Lancaster Pageants and the Antelope Valley Pageant system.

Please contact the Pageant Committee with any questions or requests for clarification regarding these policies and expectations.