TIMING & LOGISTICS: DO NOT BE LATE!

Because this is an "Early Bird" event happening before the park officially opens to the public, we have strict access rules.

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• Date: Sunday, September 13th

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• 10:30 AM — Doors & Sign-ups Open: Arrive at the main gate, pay your entry/spectator fee, and proceed immediately to the Skating Rink registration table.

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• 11:00 AM — Music Starts: The DJ begins the warmup mixes.

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• 11:05 AM SHARP — Gate Closes: The main entrance gate will be locked.

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• 12:00 PM (Noon) — Gate Reopens: The park officially opens for the main festival.

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 THE 11:05 AM LOCKOUT RULE EXPLAINED: To ensure our volunteer staff can safely transition to running the competition, the front gate will be completely unstaffed and locked at exactly 11:05 AM.

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• Example Scenario: If you arrive at 11:06 AM, you will not be allowed inside the park, even if your friend is competing. You will have to wait outside until the park officially opens at Noon. Please plan your travel accordingly!

 HOW TO ENTER & COMPETITION FORMAT

Registration Details:

• Capacity: We are strictly capped at the first 20 dancers to sign up on-site.

• Waitlist: Dancers 21+ will be put on a waitlist in case of drop-outs.

• Admission Fees (Cash): $10 to Compete | $7 to Watch.

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Phase 1: The Showcase (Preliminaries) The MC will call dancers to the floor one by one. You will have 30–45 seconds of freestyle to a random 80's track.

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• Explanation: This is your audition. You are not battling anyone yet. Show the judges your raw skill, personality, and how well you handle the 80's beat. The judges will score everyone, and the top performers will advance.

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Phase 2: The Bracket Battles (Single-Elimination) Advancing dancers are paired up for 1-on-1 battles.

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• Details: Each battle consists of 2 to 3 "exchanges." Dancer A dances for 30 seconds, then Dancer B responds for 30 seconds.

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• Example: If Dancer A does a heavy breakdance routine, Dancer B needs to "answer" it with an equally impressive routine.

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Phase 3: The Sudden Death Round If the 3 judges cannot agree on a winner, the MC will call a "Sudden Death" tie-breaker.

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• How it works: The DJ drops one final 30-second beat. Both dancers go all-out at the same time.

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• The Judging: The winner is decided 100% by the Audience. The MC will hold their hand over each dancer. The dancer who receives the loudest noise level (cheering, clapping, stomping) wins the bracket.

 JUDGING CRITERIA (WHAT WE LOOK FOR)

Our 5 volunteer judges will score based on four categories:

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1. Originality: Are your moves unique? (Example: Doing a standard "running man" is okay, but transitioning the running man into a seamless floor-spin will score much higher).

2. Musicality: How well do you connect to the specific song? (Example: If the DJ plays "Footloose," hitting a sharp pose exactly on the heavy drum beat will earn massive points).

3. Energy & Vibe: Are you keeping the crowd hyped? A dancer with simple moves but incredible stage presence can beat a technically perfect dancer who looks bored.

4. Execution: Are your moves clean and controlled, or sloppy?

 STRICT FLOOR RULES & SAFETY

1. Family-Friendly: All dance moves, gestures, and clothing must be G-rated.

2. No Props: Only clothing worn on your person is allowed.

   • Example: Tipping a hat you are wearing is fine. Bringing a folding chair, a cane, or a boombox onto the floor to dance with is an automatic disqualification.

3. Respect the Floor (No Contact): Battles are about attitude, not aggression.

   • Example: "Mocking" your opponent's dance moves from a safe distance is great! Physically bumping into them, blocking their path, or making provocative contact is an immediate disqualification.

4. Footwear: Sneakers, dance shoes, or clean roller skates only. No bare feet, no socks-only, and no muddy shoes. The historic rink floor must not be scuffed or damaged.

 THE OFFICIAL PLAYLIST (THE DIRTY DOZEN + EXTRAS)

These are the ONLY 14 songs that will be played during the competition (selected at random). We highly suggest listening to these in advance to master their tempos!

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1. Cyndi Lauper — Girls Just Want to Have Fun (1983)

2. Dead or Alive — You Spin Me Round (Like a Record) (1984)

3. DMC and Aerosmith — Walk This Way (1986)

4. Kenny Loggins — Footloose (1984)

5. Kool & The Gang — Celebration (1980)

6. Madonna — Express Yourself (1989)

7. Men Without Hats — The Safety Dance (1982)

8. Michael Jackson — Billie Jean (1982)

9. New Order — Blue Monday (1983)

10. Prince — 1999 (1982)

11. Rick James — Super Freak (1981)

12. Technotronic — Pump Up the Jam (1989)

13. The Pointer Sisters — I'm So Excited (1982)

14. Wham! — Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go (1984)

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 IMPORTANT: EARLY BIRD GATE ENTRY & PAYMENT POLICY

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Because we have only a 35-minute window to get everyone through the front gate before the 11:05 AM lockout, we have a strict gate policy to keep the line moving quickly.

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Please read carefully before you arrive:

1. EXACT CHANGE / CASH ONLY We will NOT have a cash box or register at the front gate for this early-bird event. All entry fees will be dropped directly into a sealed donation jar. No change will be given under any circumstances.

 

2. THE DONATION RULE (BRING EXACT BILLS!) If you do not bring exact change, the remaining cash will be considered a direct donation to the Bushkill Park restoration fund.

• Example 1: If you are paying the $10 competitor fee and hand the gate staff a $20 bill, you are paying your $10 entry and donating $10 to the park.

• Example 2: If you are paying the $7 spectator fee and hand the gate staff a $10 bill, you are paying your $7 entry and donating the remaining $3 to the park.

 

3. PRICING & ENTRY DETAILS

• Competitors ($10 Exact Cash): You will pay at the gate and receive a specific paper entry slip. 

• Spectators ($7 Exact Cash): Pay at the gate and head straight to the rink to claim a good viewing spot!

 

Thank you for understanding!

This policy helps us get everyone inside before the music starts while maximizing every dollar raised for the park.