Rainbow River Pageant Rules & Guidelines

Dunnellon, Florida – Boomtown Day

April 10, 2027

The Rainbow River Pageant is a community event designed to celebrate the youth of Dunnellon while encouraging confidence, leadership, and community involvement.

By participating in the Rainbow River Pageant, contestants and parents/guardians acknowledge that they have read, understand, and agree to the following rules and guidelines.

Code of Conduct

Contestants and parents/guardians are expected to display respect, good sportsmanship, and positive behavior at all times.

This includes interactions with:

• Other contestants and families
• Judges
• Pageant directors and volunteers
• Sponsors
• The Dunnellon community

Unsportsmanlike conduct, harassment, or disruptive behavior may result in point deductions, removal from the pageant, or revocation of a title.

Titles & Awards

Winners may receive a ceremonial robe that must be returned the following year.

Title holders represent the Rainbow River Pageant and are expected to conduct themselves respectfully throughout their reign.

Division & Title Eligibility

Rainbow River Pageants is a growing community event. As the pageant evolves, divisions and age ranges may change.

In earlier years, only the following divisions existed:

• Little Miss Dunnellon
• Princess of the Rainbow
• Queen of the Rainbow

Contestants who previously won a title under a different structure may still compete if:

• They meet current age requirements
• The division did not exist or had different age rules when they won

The Pageant Committee has final authority on eligibility decisions.

Age Divisions

Contestants must meet the age requirement on the day of the pageant.

Boomtown Baby

Age 2
Must be able to walk. Parent may assist by holding their finger but may not carry them.

Tiny Miss Dunnellon

Ages 3 to 4

Tiny Mister Dunnellon

Ages 3 to 4

Little Miss Dunnellon (2026 adjustment)

Ages 5 to 8

For the 2026 pageant year only, the Duchess of Dunnellon division has been temporarily removed due to participation levels. Because of this adjustment, the Little Miss Dunnellon division has been expanded to include age 8 contestants for 2026 only.

Beginning in 2027:

Little Miss Dunnellon – Ages 5 to 7
Duchess of Dunnellon – Ages 8 to 10

Duke of Dunnellon

Ages 8 to 10

Junior Miss Dunnellon

Ages 10 to 13

Junior Mister Dunnellon

Ages 10 to 13

Princess of the Rainbow (2026 adjustment)

Ages 12 to 15

For the 2026 pageant year only, the Junior Princess division has been removed due to participation levels. Because of this adjustment, the Princess division has been expanded to include age 12 contestants for 2026 only.

If a 12-year-old contestant wins Princess in 2026, she may compete again when she reaches the normal age range of 13–15.

Beginning in 2027:

Princess of the Rainbow – Ages 13 to 15

Prince of the Rainbow

Ages 13 to 15

Queen of the Rainbow

Ages 16 to 19

King of the Rainbow

Ages 16 to 19

Responsibilities of Winners

Winners will represent the pageant from April 2027 to April 2028 and may participate in community events.

Possible appearances include:

• Boomtown events
• Community festivals
• Volunteer opportunities
• Promotional appearances

Practices & Events

Multiple practices will be scheduled. Locations may vary.

Contestants are responsible for attending all required practices.

Picture Day

Contestants who do not attend Picture Day will not be included in the Riverland Newspaper unless arrangements are made directly with the newspaper.

Event Schedule

April 9, 2027
Pancake Breakfast (optional)

April 9, 2027
Mandatory Stage Practice

Missing stage practice will result in removal from the pageant with no refund.

Contestants who arrive late will receive a 1 point deduction.

April 10, 2027
Pageant during Boomtown Day

Attendance Policy

For contestants age 5 and older:

• Each unexcused absence results in a 1 point deduction
• Three late arrivals (over 30 minutes late) count as one absence

Excused Absences

Excused absences include:

• Doctor note
• Death in the family
• School-related sports or clubs

Examples include:

Football
Baseball
Basketball
Softball
Cheerleading
FFA
Robotics
Tiger Vision
Priority

Activities not considered excused:

Dance
Gymnastics
Little League

T-Shirt Fundraiser Requirement (Permanent Rule)

The T-Shirt Fundraiser is an important part of supporting prize money and event expenses.

Each contestant is expected to sell a minimum of 10 shirts.

If a contestant sells at least one shirt but fewer than 10 shirts, one point will be deducted from their final score.

If a contestant does not sell any shirts, they must choose one of the following options:

Option 1: Pay $100, which represents the minimum fundraising amount equal to selling 10 shirts.

Option 2: Receive a two point deduction from their final score.

If an entire division does not sell any shirts, that division will be disqualified.

Fundraiser requirements apply to all contestants

Judging & Scoring

Contestants are judged by independent judges.

Contestants are scored based on performance, not number of contestants in the division.

Judges' decisions are final.

Judging Results & Refund Policy

Judging results are final and cannot be appealed.

No refunds will be issued for:

• Disagreement with results
• Withdrawal from the pageant
• Removal due to rule violations
• Schedule changes

All application fees, sponsor fees, and fundraiser funds are non-refundable.

Contestant Eligibility

Contestants must be 19 years old or younger.

Birth certificates may be required for verification.

Gender Categories

Male at birth:

Tiny Mister Dunnellon
Little Mister Dunnellon
Duke of Dunnellon
Junior Prince of Dunnellon
King of the Rainbow

Female at birth:

Tiny Miss Dunnellon
Little Miss Dunnellon
Duchess of Dunnellon
Junior Princess of Dunnellon
Queen of the Rainbow

School Requirement

Contestants must be enrolled in:

Home school
Pre-K
Elementary school
Middle school
High school

Residency Requirement

Contestants must live in Dunnellon or within 30 miles of a Dunnellon school.

Contestant Limits

Ages 16–19:

Maximum 6 boys and 6 girls accepted.

Ages 0–15:

Unlimited contestants accepted.

Contestants accepted in order applications are received.

Fees & Deadlines

Application fee: $30

Deadline: January 31, 2027

Late applications may be accepted with approval and $20 late fee.

Sponsor fees and fundraiser money due March 16, 2027.

Checks payable to Rainbow River Pageants.

Sportsmanship & Conduct

Respectful behavior is required at all times.

The Pageant Directors may:

• Deduct points
• Remove contestants
• Revoke titles

All decisions are final.

Social Media Policy

Negative or harmful social media posts regarding the pageant, contestants, judges, sponsors, or volunteers may result in:

• Point deductions
• Removal from the pageant
• Revocation of title

Media Release

By participating, contestants and parents grant permission for photos and videos to be used for:

• Newspaper
• Social media
• Website
• Advertising

No compensation will be provided.

Rule Changes & Authority

The Pageant Directors reserve the right to modify rules, divisions, eligibility requirements, and procedures at any time.

All decisions made by the Pageant Directors are final.

Participation indicates acceptance of all rules.