Rules

Midland Area River Days Taco Eating Contest Rules

Competition Time - 4 Minutes

  • All participating contestants must be 18 years of age or older as of August 1, 2024.

  • Selected participants will be contacted promptly by the Midland Area River Days facilitators.

  • The contest will take place at 12:10 PM and contestants must be present no later than 11:55 AM.  Failure to show will result in disqualification.

  • Participation in this event will be at the discretion of River Days facilitators, as they reserve the right to review an entrant’s qualifications and accomplishments.

  • Prize winnings are subject to change prior without notice. As it stands, all contestants will receive River Days t-shirts. The winner will also receive a “This Taco Isn’t Going to Eat Itself” shirt from Proper Taco and a $20 gift card to actually enjoy tacos at some point.

  • Each participant will be given 10 Tacos each.

  • Winners are decided by the volume of Tacos consumed in 4 minutes.

  • Tacos cannot be touched or manipulated by eaters prior to start.

  • Participants can drink as much room temperature (or colder) liquid while eating.

  • Participants must finish one Taco prior to starting another.

  • Any Taco that passes the lips into the mouth must stay in the mouth.

  • Tacos cannot be dunked, diluted, or have liquids poured on

  • Tacos cannot be separated, torn, or otherwise modified.

  • Tacos cannot be mashed or balled.

  • All reasonable efforts must be taken to keep food intact.

  • For this event, tacos must be picked up and eaten as they are intended. 

  • Any “reversal” during the 4 minutes of the Taco Eating Championship will result in immediate disqualification.

  • After the 4 minutes of the contest is over, a 30-second “Chipmunking Rule” is enforced where any Tacos that remain in the mouth must be cleared (eaten) in 30 seconds without using hands to clear it

  • Participant must show an empty mouth at the 30-second mark (or prior).

  • If tacos remain in the mouth, a penalty will be assessed (additional ounce added).

  • If you are going to “reverse,” step away and get out of everyone’s view.

  • Be respectful of other participants and remain in your own eating area.

  • If you are feeling sick, slow down or stop.

  • If you catch someone cheating, please stay calm.

  • All judges’ decisions are final!

  • Win AND lose, graciously!

  • Once the contest is over, the leftover Tacos are yours to keep! BONUS!!!

Terms & Conditions

I, the undersigned participant in this eating contest (“Contest”), hereby stipulate that I am 18 years of age or older and I have valid photo identification to prove my age which I will furnish to the Contest organizers upon demand. I agree to abide by all Contest rules, to compete in a safe and reasonable manner, and to accept all judges’ rulings.

I understand the health and associated risks inherent in eating contests and in the consumption of large quantities of food and calories over both short and extended periods of time.

I agree to cooperate and speak with media and interviewers authorized by the Contest organizers regarding the Contest and I agree to grant and release all rights on my name, likeness, image, performance and interviews before, during or after the Contest for use by the Contest organizers, their sponsors and licensees, in any and all media in perpetuity and for any and all purposes whatsoever.

I also hereby waive, on behalf of myself, successors, heirs and assigns and anyone else claiming under me or on my behalf, all ownership or other property rights to my performance in the Contest and all related activities in perpetuity in all media whatsoever. I expressly understand that entry and participation in the Contest and all related events and activities, including, without limitation, travel to the Contest and time spent in and around the area of the Contest, interviews with and possibly negative portrayals by the media, and my performance in the Contest, shall be at my own risk and I assume sole and complete responsibility and liability for all such risks.

I, on behalf of myself, my successors, heirs and assigns and anyone else claiming under me, hereby completely, irrevocably and unconditionally release and discharge all sponsors and the Midland Area River Days Festival from any and all claims, liabilities, damages, losses, expenses, suits, discrimination or other charges, demands, debts, liens, damages, costs, attorneys’ fees, prejudgment or other interest, grievances, injuries, actions or rights of action of any nature whatsoever now or in the future arising in any way out of or in connection with the Contest.

I fully acknowledge and understand that I do not have any right to participate in this Contest and related activities and I am being permitted to participate in consideration of my execution of this agreement. If it were not for my agreement to execute the attached form, I acknowledge that I would not be permitted to participate. I further acknowledge and agree that I understand all of the terms and conditions of this document and that I have been afforded an opportunity to have this document reviewed by counsel of my own choosing. I also understand that I will be given a signed copy of this document if I so request.

To confirm your understanding of these Terms & Conditions, please fill out this form.