Town Crier 2015 Competition Guidelines

2015 Easton Heritage Day Celebration
International Town Crier “Cry Off”
July 11-12, 2015
Competition Rules and Guidelines
The rules and format for the 2015 Heritage Day competition
follow the American Guild of Town Criers Constitution.
Cry Topics Assigned. (Cries are to be between one hundred (100) to one hundred twenty five (125)
words on the following topics. Cries must be submitted via e-mail to David Rose, the host crier, the week
prior to the competition.)
 Saturday Morning Competition: This completion will take place at the visitor center for one of
our sponsors, Weyerbacher Brewery. Cry to be about beer. You can say what you want to about
beer, but remember that videos taken of cries that mention Weyerbacher beer will likely be
chosen to be placed on their website for publicity. As this will be a commercial cry about an
intoxicating beverage, references to a divinity or appeals to patriotism in closings will be
considered in poor taste.
 Saturday Afternoon Competition: The afternoon competition will take place in the former
German Reformed Church in downtown Easton, now the First United Church of Christ. This is
an historic building as it served as a Continental Army Hospital during the Revolutionary War.
Please note the change of topic from the last notice. (Upon reflection, having Criers chose which
side of the debate about independence they would select for competition or performance would
not only create more uncertainty about the who is proclaiming what on Heritage Day, but would
also not be as informative or entertaining at the one now selected.) Cry must mention the
“Treaty of Easton”. Shortly after its founding in 1752, Easton served as the location of a
number of treaty meetings during the French and Indian War (Seven Years War) between
representatives of the Royal Governors of New Jersey and Pennsylvania, Native American tribes
who were allied with the French during the French and Indian Wars, tribes allied with the British,
and Philadelphia Quakers. The most famous of these treaties took place during October 1758 in
which the British promised to reserve the Ohio Valley for the Indian Tribes and the Indians
agreed to fight with the British. Cry to be of the French and Indian War period and in the manner
of announcing the events of that war such as: Indian attacks on frontier settlements, General
Forbes attack on Fort Duquesne (latter Fort Pitt), over 500 Indians coming to Easton for treaty
proceedings, Royal Proclamation of 1763, or anything else your research would be able to
connect with the Treaty of Easton. As all Criers would have been loyal subjects of the King, all
Cries are to close with “God Save the King” (counts a one word).
 Sunday Cry at Heritage Day: This cry will be for performance and will not be judged. Cry will
be in response to the proposition: “These colonies ought to be Free and Independent
States”. Cries in opposition are to end with “God Save the King”, those in support are to close
with “God preserve Congress and General Washington” (counts as one word). Be advised that
agitators for independence will be in the crowd. Order of Cries will be determined by the Host
Crier to insure alternating views.
Criteria for Judging Cries (Scoring Sheet attached) Total Possible Score: 100
 Attention Getting Device:
o While most Criers use a bell, other devices can also be used. The scoring of this criteria
is a combination of the sound of the device and deportment of the Crier while using it.
o Possible Score: 10 points with deduction of 2 points for forgetting device on stage.
 Deportment:
o As a representative of their municipality or organization, Criers are to fulfill the role of
Town Crier with strong confidence, clear movement, and memorable overall image.
Judging begins when Crier is introduced and ends with departure from stage.
o Possible Score: 15 points
 Sustained Volume:
o While the three “Oyez’s” may be louder than the body of the cry, Crier should be able to
maintain volume throughout the cry. The louder the better.
o Possible Score: 20
 Call Content:
o Cry should adhere to required subject. Effective use of appropriate language with
message. Overall literary effectiveness. Use of oratorical techniques to arouse listener’s
interest in message such as rhyme or alliteration.
o Possible Score: 30 with deduction of one point for each departure from submitted cry.
 Clarity:
o Clear enunciation and well placed phrasing. Clarity must be maintained throughout Cry.
o Possible Score: 25 with deductions of 2 points each time voice cracks.
 Length of Cry
o To be from one hundred (100) to one hundred twenty five (125) words. Numbers count
as one word. Either prescribed closing counts as one word. Proper names and company
names count as one word. Any individual oral sound will count as one word. Cries
submitted in German will be translated by Host Criers’ Language Advisor.
o Scoring: One point deduction for each word over or under limits to a maximum of 10
points. This deduction will be established prior to competition and based on Cry
submitted.
Format of Competition
 Order of Criers
o Saturday Morning: Names of Criers will be randomly drawn and matched with a number
randomly drawn indicating order of Crier.
o Saturday afternoon: Deck split.
 Judges, Scorers and Advisors
o There will be four Competition Judges, a Uniform Judge, a Language Advisor and a
scorer. In the case of a tie score, judges will make a subjective call to break tie.
o One judge will be provided with the submitted cry to monitor adherence and make
deductions for any variation from submitted cry.
o Cries given in German will be translated by the Language Advisor and read in English by
the Host Crier.
 Escorts/Consorts
o Escorts may assist the Crier to the stage but shall not participate in the performance of the
Cry.
o Uniform Judge will determine winner for Best Dressed Escort.
 Prizes and Recognition
o There will be a First, Second and Third place prize for Criers.
o If an American Crier does not place in the top three, an additional prize will be given to
the “Best American Crier”.
o Prize will be given for “Best Dressed Escort”
o Prizes will be awarded at Saturday evening awards dinner.