The Golden Pompon International Cheerleading Dance Festival

The Golden Pompon is the first international cheerleading dance festival in Bulgaria, held annually in Albena Resort in September. The festival is part of the celebrations of the Day of Dobrich – 25 September. The first international festival was held in 2003.
The goal of the festival is to support the children who practice cheerleading and to provide them with opportunities to perform.
The festival is organised by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Science, the Bulgarian Cheerleading Association, Dobrich Town Municipality, and For the Children of Dobrich Association.
Children and teenagers from dance schools, clubs, community centres, schools, youth associations, etc., take part in the festival.
Each team competing in the parade cheerleaders contest consists of 10 to 15 cheerleaders, while those participating in the sports cheerleaders contest consist of 9 to 13 cheerleaders.
Participants are divided into three age groups: group one – up to 9 years of age; group two –10 to 14 years of age; group three –15 to 19 years of age. There are two categories: first category – parade cheerleaders; and second category – sports cheerleaders.
The following criteria are applied in the evaluation of the performances of contestants:
1. Choreography (combination, originality, dynamics).
2. Performance skill (position of hands, wrists and legs, jumps, coordination, manipulation of apparatus).
3. Outfits (originality and appearance).
4. Artistic skill (expression and appearance).
Dancers are rated by a competent panel of judges that is announced on the opening day of the festival.
The first three teams from each category and age group receive diplomas and prizes.