The E³ Children’s Museum & Science Center will host the 20th Annual Yo Down Show Down at the Children’s Museum on Saturday, July 4 at 1:30 p.m., registration at 1:00 p.m.
The 20th Annual Yo Down Show Down is open to all ages and skill-levels. It is an opportunity for everyone to learn new tricks and will showcase the abilities of some of our youngest museum patrons. Visitors will be treated to an eye-dazzling display – this is a chance to show off your skills and learn new tricks. The event is organized by Yo-Yo Man Extraordinaire, Luke Renner. The event is sponsored by Duncan Toys, YoYoExpert and Yomega.
The E³ Children’s Museum & Science Center is located at 302 N. Orchard Ave. in Farmington, NM and opens at 10 a.m. the day of the contest (505) 599-1425. Bring your own yo-yo to the event.
Contest rules for Yo Down Show Down:
1) Tricks are attempted in order. If an initial attempt of a trick is unsuccessful a second attempt will be allowed. If the contestant accomplishes the trick on the first try they are given a score of (5); if the make it on the second attempt they are awarded a score of (3). Contestant is retired if unable to perform trick on second attempt. Contestant with highest number of points wins. In case of tie contestants move to tiebreaker.
2) Yo-yo must be caught in the hand and not trapped against the body.
3) If 6 inches of string remains outside the yo-yo on completion of a trick; it is considered as a miss. No roll ups or wind ups.
4) Any throw made in the the trick circle/box is considered an attempt.
5) Only the following tricks may be done while the contestant is on deck (next to compete) outside the trick circle box (throw-down, sleeper, forward pass, single loop, string adjustment (excluding flying saucer if it is to be performed as the next trick in the competition).
6) The same yo-yo must be used through-out the competition for all compulsory tricks. No rigging the string between tricks is allowed other than adjustment of string tension. The judge may allow the contestant to switch yo-yo's or replace string in the event of string breakage or knots.
7) Repetitions of tricks may be adjusted by the judge based on the skill level of the contestants.
8) Winner is determined by the highest number of completed ricks.
9) All judges decisions are final.
10) Have fun!
Note: Winners from previous contests must move to next level of competition if they compete in 2024.
Beginner Division (8 & Under)
1. Gravity Pull (dropped and caught with hand in a palm-down position)
2. Throw-down (thrown down from a palm-up position, caught with palm down)
3. Forward pass (palm up catch)
4. One Outside Loop
5. One Hop the Fence
Tie Breaker: sudden death Dribble contest (all contestants dribble while the judge instructs tied contestants to do something else such as pat your head, hop on one foot, etc.
(Novice) Junior: Ages 9 years old to 14 Senior: 15 Years old and over
1. Sleeper (at least 5 seconds)
2. Forward Pass
3. Over the Falls
4. Breakaway
5. Walk the Dog (at least 6 inches)
6. Rock the Baby (one full rock back and forth)
7. Around the World (1 revolutions on one throw)
8. Inside Loop the Loop (5 repetitions)
Tiebreakers: (1) Man on the Trapeze (flip- overs allowed), (2) Loop off.
Rules for the 2025 Advanced Competition
Once there are the final three players left from the trick ladder there is a 1 minute freestyle. The winner is selected by audience applause. The freestyle is open to any type of play and is an opportunity to demonstrate a minute of your best string slinging. If the audience response is the same for two players ties will be broken using the either sudden death tiebreakers or a final :60 seconds of freestyle string slinging.
(Advanced All Ages – Note: Adv. Contest only held if there are 3 or more players.)
1. Sleeper (at least 5 seconds)
2. Around the World
3. Rock the Baby
4. Elevator
5. Tower aka Eiffel Tower
6. Man on the Trapeze (flip- overs allowed)
7. Double or Nothing
8. Gerbil aka Skin the Gerbil
9. Split the Atom - split mount/ 2 undercuts/ 3 somersaults)
10. Spirit Bomb
Sudden Death Tiebreakers:
(1) Brent Stole GT Laceration
(2) Black Hops
(3) Shoot the Moon (highest repetition count)
(4) 9 Frames
or Duel last two players perform their best :60 freestyle
ABOUT THE E³ CHILDREN’S MUSEUM & SCIENCE CENTER – The E³ Children’s Museum & Science Center is a part of the City of Farmington Museum System. The Museum System is a division of the City of Farmington department of Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs.
