Pageant Application

Pageant Date: Saturday, June 8, 2024
Application Deadline: Tuesday, April 30, 2024

Must be female and between the ages of 16 and 20; cutoff date for completing 16 years of age and for not being any older than 20 years of age is Tuesday, April 30, 2024.

Must have been born in Taos County or decedent of a family with established Taos roots and have resided in Taos County for more than 50% of lifetime determined by age on Tuesday, April 30, 2024. If you were born in one of the hospitals surrounding Taos County such as Española; Los Alamos; Santa Fe; Albuquerque; and possibly others, this will be considered valid as well at the sole discretion of the Fiesta de Taos, Inc.

Must be of Hispanic decent/lineage and Spanish surnamed (maternal or paternal, Grandmothers maiden surnames considered eligible).

Must be single, never married, without biological children, and must not become pregnant throughout your reign as either the Fiesta de Taos Reina or Fiesta de Taos Princesa.

Must be able to communicate effectively in English and Spanish, as public speaking is required for various Fiesta and Community events throughout the year. Members of the Fiesta de Taos will be available to assist members of the Royal Court to practice their Spanish if required (only after the Pageant – Saturday, June 8, 2024, once the new court has been chosen and announced).

Must be able to participate in the 2024 Fiesta de Taos Royal Court Pageant and Baile del Anuncio to be held on Saturday, June 8, 2024, and participate in all meetings, and rehearsals pertaining to and leading up to the Pageant (schedule pending).

Must be able and willing to participate in each category of the Pageant which consist of: Fiesta Attire, Bilingual Speech (Why I am competing to be the 2024 Fiesta de Taos Reina and what it means to me; 4 minute time limit), Research Paper (What Taos means to me, it’s history, culture, traditions and any other appropriate aspect; between 250 & 300 words typed, double spaced, Times New Roman – 12 font, may incorporate illustrations, except photos with self or family), and Talent (of Taos Cultural Content/Significance).

Candidate along with their parents or guardians will be required to sign a contractual agreement with the Fiesta de Taos, Inc.

Must be able to participate in all Fiesta de Taos events and out of town commitments including, but not limited to: San Luis, Colorado Fiestas; Santa Fe Fiestas; New Mexico State Fair; Taos County Fair; Martinez Hacienda Cultural Event; Christmas Activities; Albuquerque Old Town Fiestas; Taos Rodeo; Red River 4^th of July Parade; Las Vegas Fiestas; Española Fiestas; and others events as they arise throughout the year (official schedule TBD).

Must NOT during any Fiesta de Taos, Inc. sanctioned event or while representing the Fiesta de Taos, Inc. and/or the Fiesta de Taos Royal Court (this includes Escorts/Caballeros accompanying Royal Court Members, regardless of age):

The Fiesta de Taos, Inc. has a limit of five (5) contestants to participate in the Fiesta de Taos Royal Pageant. In the event that more contestants apply, the first five (5) candidates to submit their completed application electronically with all information required, copy of Baptismal and Birth Certificates, and comply with all of the criteria, between Monday, April 1, 2024, and Tuesday, April 30, 2024, will be selected to participate.

Any violation of the criteria or policies may eliminate a candidate from competing in the Pageant. Determination is at the sole discretion of the Fiesta de Taos, Inc.

Reina must relinquish the Fiesta Crown after every event to Stephanie Cordova-Levy, Chair, Royal Court Committee, or Stephanie’s designated member of the Fiesta de Taos, Inc.

Each member of the Fiesta de Taos Royal Court is required to dress in full formal Fiesta Attire as required by the Fiesta de Taos, Inc., at all times that they are in official capacity representing the Fiesta de Taos, Inc.

Each member of the Fiesta de Taos Royal Court must travel with a designated member of the Fiesta de Taos, Inc. as a group, unless special authorization of alternate accommodations has been granted by the Fiesta de Taos Royal Court Chair or her designee. This includes arriving late or leaving any particular function early, etc.

If a member of the Fiesta de Taos Royal Court becomes pregnant or gets married, they must advise the President and Royal Court Committee Chair of the Fiesta de Taos, Inc. and tender their resignation, gracefully in writing.

Any violation of the criteria or policies may eliminate a Fiesta de Taos Royal Court Member from participating in individual events and or removal from the Fiesta de Taos Royal Court. Determination is at the sole discretion of the Fiesta de Taos, Inc.