Virginia State Yo-Yo Contest 2026

ABOUT THE EVENT

Virginia's Yo-Yo Contest
Comes to Northern VA

The Virginia State Yo-Yo Contest has run every year since 2007. This year we're bringing it to Northern Virginia for the first time — Center Court at Dulles Town Center, Saturday crowds, and a community that genuinely loves what they do.

Entirely volunteer-run. Every dollar goes straight to the event. Organized by DMV Throwers Yo-Yo & Skill Toy Club.

MULTI-DIVISION FREE TO SPECTATE INDOOR MALL FREE PARKING MAKER CORNER LIVESTREAM PLANNED

DATE

Sept 19, 2026

HOURS

10 AM – 7 PM

VENUE

Dulles Town Center

EDITION

16th Annual

ATTENDANCE

Est. 100–200

ENTRY FEE

$15–25/div

SPECTATORS

Free

ORGANIZER

DMV Throwers

COMPETITION

Divisions

1A

Single yo-yo on a string. The flagship division — technical, expressive, and the heart of competitive yo-yo. Open to all skill levels.

OPEN

X Division

Multi-style showcase covering 2A (two yo-yos), 3A (two yo-yos on strings), 4A (off-string), and 5A (counterweight). Pick your style.

2A · 3A · 4A · 5A

Beginner /
Junior

For newer players and younger competitors. A welcoming entry point into contest competition — no experience required.

ALL AGES

Fixed Axle

Traditional no-bearing yo-yos only. Raw skill, classic style. One of the most crowd-pleasing divisions in modern competition.

TBD · STAY TUNED

★ Competing in multiple divisions? Registration is per division. Discounts may apply — check registration for details. Division format follows IYYF/AYYA freestyle guidelines unless otherwise noted.

DAY OF EVENT

Schedule

Before 10 AM

Setup & Load-In

Sponsors, vendors, and staff arrive before mall opening. Rubber-wheeled hand trucks allowed.

10:00 AM

Doors Open · Event Begins

Registration desk open · Free to spectate · Maker Corner open

10:30 AM

Opening Ceremony

Welcome, sponsor acknowledgments, rules briefing

11:00 AM

Competition Begins

Divisions run in sequence — Beginner/Junior · Fixed Axle · X Division · 1A

~4:00 PM

Finals / Judging Wrap

Approximate — schedule subject to competitor count

~5:00 PM

Awards Ceremony

All divisions · Sponsor acknowledgments · Raffle

7:00 PM

Event Closes · Teardown

Everything out by 7 PM — venue rule

★ Schedule is approximate and subject to change based on final competitor count. Confirmed schedule posted closer to event date.

COMPETITOR REGISTRATION

Register to Compete

Entry Fees

1A$20

X Division$20

Beginner / Junior$15

Fixed Axle$15

Multiple Divisions$5 off each add'l

SpectatorsFREE

PAYMENT

PayPal · Venmo · Check · Bank transfer. Registration is only complete after payment clears.

PAYPAL VENMO

Music Upload

1

Name your file: DIVISION_LastName_FirstName.mp3
Example: 1A_Rogers_Brandon.mp3

2

Upload via the Google Drive link below. Deadline: 1 week before event (Sept 12).

3

No upload = AUX cord or no music. No exceptions after deadline.

EMAIL FOR UPLOAD LINK

REGISTRATION OPENS

Registration link coming soon. Email vastateyoyocontest@gmail.com to get notified first.

SPONSORSHIP

Become a Sponsor

No yo-yo or skill toy retailers at Dulles Town Center — your brand is the only one in the room, in front of competitors, families, and curious Saturday shoppers. Funding goal: $3,500.

★ Freshly Dirty confirmed as Platinum Sponsor — real community buy-in before we opened to the public.

◆ DIAMOND

$2,000+

MAX 1 SLOT · Cash only

"VSYC-26 Presented by [Your Brand]"
Logo everywhere — all materials
12ft double-wide table (4 chairs)
MC callouts all day
3 free competitor registrations
YouTube livestream credit
Pre-event social spotlight
Certificate + post-event writeup

● PLATINUM

$500+

MAX 2 SLOTS · Cash only

XL logo — banner, flyers, socials
6ft table (2 chairs, power)
MC shoutout 3x (open/mid/awards)
2 free competitor registrations
YouTube livestream credit
Pre-event social spotlight

✓ 1 SLOT FILLED

★ GOLD

$250+

MAX 4 SLOTS

Large logo — banner & flyer
6ft table (2 chairs, power)
MC shoutout 2x (open & awards)
Social media thank-you post
Linktree listing

◎ SILVER

$75+

OPEN SLOTS

Medium logo — banner & flyer
MC shoutout at opening
Social media thank-you post
Linktree listing
Add table for $75

○ BRONZE

$50

OPEN SLOTS

Name on sponsor banner
Name in event program
MC shoutout at opening
Social media thank-you post
Add table for $75

♦ IN-KIND / LOCAL

$25+

ANY FORM · OPEN

Name on sponsor banner
Social media thank-you post
Cash, product, gift cards, food — anything counts
Hobby clubs: yo-yo, juggling, kendama, flow arts welcome

SPONSOR INTEREST FORM

Ready to Get Involved?

Fill out the form below and we'll reach out with an invoice. Diamond and Platinum spots fill first — don't wait.

VENUE

Dulles Town Center

ADDRESS21100 Dulles Town Circle
Sterling, VA 20166

EVENT SPACECenter Court, Lower Level — main atrium. Visible from every entrance on that level.

PARKINGFree at all mall entrances

WI-FIFree — "Dulles Town Center Wi-Fi" or "Dulles_Town_Center"

FOODFood court on-site + multiple restaurants throughout mall

NEARBY HOTELSCourtyard by Marriott Dulles (walking distance) · Candlewood Suites (~1 mi)

GET DIRECTIONS MALL WEBSITE

VENUE RULES FOR VENDORS & SPONSORS

SETUP / TEARDOWN

Setup before 10 AM (before mall opens). Everything out by 7 PM. Hand trucks with rubber wheels only.

FLOOR ITEMS

Rubber mats or carpet pads under anything touching the mall floor. No tape on floor or fixtures.

SIGNAGE

All banners/signs need written DTC approval at least 2 weeks out. We handle the process — keep it professional.

POWER

Up to 500W per outlet. No exposed cords. Bring your own extension cord. No tablecloths provided.

TABLE SLOTS

10 tables max. Diamond/Platinum guaranteed. Gold included (limited). Silver/Bronze add for $75. Hobby clubs: $50.

ADVANCE SHIPPING

Ship product by September 12. Contact us for shipping address — we'll store and have it on-site.

CONTEST RULES

Contest Ruleset

FREESTYLE FORMAT

Freestyles follow IYYF/AYYA guidelines unless otherwise noted
1A, X Division: 3-minute freestyle with music
Beginner/Junior: Shorter format — TBD based on registration
Fixed Axle: Format TBD — announcement coming soon
No profanity or offensive content in music

EQUIPMENT

Competitors must use division-legal yo-yos for their registered division
Fixed Axle: No bearing yo-yos — traditional axle only
String and accessories are competitor's responsibility
Inspections may occur before competition at judge's discretion

MUSIC & PERFORMANCE

Music files due by September 12 — no exceptions after deadline
File format: MP3, named DIVISION_Last_First.mp3
No live music — pre-recorded tracks only
Competitors must be ready when called — missing your slot forfeits your spot

JUDGING & CONDUCT

Judging follows standard competitive yo-yo scoring criteria
Judge decisions are final
Respectful conduct required — unsportsmanlike behavior may result in disqualification
Venue rules apply to all competitors, spectators, and staff
Organizers reserve the right to adjust format based on registration numbers

★ Full detailed ruleset will be distributed to registered competitors closer to the event date. Questions? Email vastateyoyocontest@gmail.com

MUSIC UPLOAD

Submit Your Music

1

Format your file name correctly:
DIVISION_LastName_FirstName.mp3
Examples: 1A_Rogers_Brandon.mp3 · XDiv_Smith_Alex.mp3 · Beginner_Lee_Jordan.mp3

2

File requirements: MP3 format · No explicit/offensive content · Full track including any intro/outro you want

3

Deadline: September 12, 2026 — one week before the event. Upload link sent after registration confirmation.

!

No upload by deadline = AUX cord or no music. No exceptions.

REQUEST UPLOAD LINK

Upload link distributed after registration is confirmed and payment clears.

FAQ

Common Questions

Is the event free to attend?+

Yes — free to spectate. Competitor entry is $15–25 per division depending on division. No charge for spectators, families, or curious mall visitors.

How do I register to compete?+

Registration opens soon. Email vastateyoyocontest@gmail.com to get notified first. Registration is only complete after payment clears.

Can I compete in multiple divisions?+

Yes. Registration is per division. A discount applies for each additional division — details in the registration form.

What is the Maker Corner?+

A community showcase area for handmade skill toys, custom designs, and indie crafted work. Not a sponsor table — this is community space for makers. Contact us if you're interested in a spot.

Will there be a livestream?+

Planned — pending funding. Diamond and Platinum sponsors receive YouTube livestream credit. Once funded, it's happening. Help us get there.

Where do I park?+

Free parking at all mall entrances. Dulles Town Center has ample surface parking surrounding the entire mall. No fees, no validation needed.

How do I become a sponsor?+

Fill out the sponsor interest form above or email vastateyoyocontest@gmail.com. Diamond and Platinum spots are limited — first come, first served. You'll receive a PayPal invoice to lock your spot.

Who organizes VSYC-26?+

DMV Throwers Yo-Yo & Skill Toy Club — the DC/Maryland/Virginia yo-yo community club. Entirely volunteer-run. Every dollar goes straight to the event.

CONTACT