Contestants will be able to enter either or both of the two categories (humorous and serious).
The contest is for ORIGINAL WORK ONLY. Poems should be created by the contestant presenting the poem. All poems should be family-friendly. No profanity or inappropriate language is allowed.
Entries will be evaluated by a panel of judges on a thirty point scale, based on 10 points for each of three factors:
Quality - The technical quality of the poem itself. i.e., the rhyme and meter of the poem - does it rhyme well, does it flow, is meter correct?
Theme - Is it truly cowboy/western? Or just general in topic?
Presentation – delivery of the poem - effective stage presence, polish of the performer, etc.
A perfect score would be a total of 30 points. Ties are broken based on the scores in the Quality category.
Winners in each division (humorous and serious) receive a beautiful trophy buckle and a free membership in the Kansas Chapter of the International Western Music Association.
The top three in each division receive an award certificate signed by the Governor of Kansas and gift certificates for western wear.
He's the heart and soul of this competition every year, aided by committee members Jeff Davidson, Eureka | Martha Farrell, Andover | Orin Friesen, Benton | Brad Hamilton, Hoyt | Sharon Roberts-Meyer, Carlton
wmakansas@gmail.com