Heartland Pride 2027 Royalty Pageant
2026-08-15 21:00 - 2026-08-16 00:00 UTC | Flixx Lounge, 1019 S 10th St, Omaha, NE, 68103, United States
2027 Heartland Pride Royalty Pageant

Apply to become Heartland Pride 2027 Royalty. The Heartland Pride Royalty Pageant is a non-gender-specific competition celebrating drag, burlesque, performance, presentation, creativity, and LGBTQIA+ community leadership.
Contestants will compete for two Heartland Pride Royalty titles. The top two overall scores will be crowned as the official Heartland Pride 2027 Royalty.
Why 2027? The newly crowned royalty will represent Heartland Pride from the conclusion of the pageant until their successors are crowned at the next Heartland Pride Royalty Pageant. During that time, they hold the title of the official Heartland Pride 2027 Royalty.

Apply for 2027 Royalty

Pageant Theme
“Throw Your Brick”
It’s your time to shine. Paint your brick and step into your truth. Choose the Pride flag that speaks to your identity and craft a fantasy that fully embodies you.

Quick Event Details

Date: Saturday, August 15, 2026
Pageant Begins: 10:00 PM
Doors Open: 9:00 PM
Location: Flixx Lounge & Cabaret
Address: 1019 S 10th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68102
Age Requirement: Contestants must be 21 before August 15, 2026
Contact: Entertainment@heartlandpride.org

Entry Fee & Deadline
The prepaid entry fee is $50 and is available through HeartlandPride.org.

$50 prepaid entry fee: accepted until Monday, August 10, 2026
$75 late entry fee: accepted after August 10 until 7:00 PM on Thursday, August 13, 2026

Contestant Itinerary

12:00 PM: Mandatory rehearsal
5:30 PM: Contestant registration and check-in
6:00 PM: Contestant interviews begin
9:00 PM: Doors open
10:00 PM: Contest/Pageant begins

Prize Package
The top two overall contestants will be crowned Heartland Pride 2027 Royalty. There is no first or second placement; both titleholders serve equally.

$500 cash prize, paid half on pageant night and half at step-down
$50 per diem for the two days including Youth Pride and Heartland Pride
Premier slot in the Heartland Pride Parade
$300 costume budget for the Heartland Pride Festival
Two performance slots at the Heartland Pride Festival
Two performance slots at Heartland Youth Pride
One paid photoshoot with Jake Fulkerson
Two VIP tickets to Pride

Who Can Compete?
The Heartland Pride Royalty Pageant is a non-gender-specific competition. All entertainers compete together regardless of gender, illusion style, drag style, burlesque style, or performance presentation.
Contestants may perform as male, female, nonbinary, trans, gender-expansive, assigned gender at birth, drag, burlesque, or another form of entertainment and self-expression. Contestants will be judged based on what they present on stage and in interview, not by gender category.

Competition Categories
Contestants will be judged using a total accumulated point system. In the event of a tie, the highest talent score will break the tie.

Personal Interview: 50 points
Creative Presentation: 40 points
Evening Fashion: 40 points
Onstage Question and Answer: 40 points
Talent: 60 points

Category Overview
Personal Interview
Personal Interview is your chance to show the judges who you are personally and professionally. You may present as your drag persona or your everyday self, whichever makes you most comfortable. Please prepare a 30-second introduction.
Creative Presentation
Creative Presentation has a two-minute time limit. Contestants will present a look inspired by the theme “Throw Your Brick.” Your costume should reflect your interpretation of Pride and include every color of the Pride flag you most identify with.
Evening Fashion
Evening Fashion will be judged individually. Contestants should present a clean, elegant, high-fashion, tasteful, and sophisticated look that reflects their personal sense of elevated presentation.
Onstage Question and Answer
Onstage Question and Answer will take place immediately following Evening Fashion. Contestants will select one envelope containing a unique question and will have up to three minutes to respond.
Talent
Talent has an 11-minute total limit: two minutes for setup, seven minutes for performance, and two minutes for teardown. Contestants may perform any type of talent as long as it does not pose a risk of injury to themselves, the audience, or others.

Royalty Expectations
Heartland Pride Royalty are community representatives. Titleholders are expected to attend key Heartland Pride sponsored events, including the announcement brunch, Youth Pride, the Heartland Pride Parade, and the Heartland Pride Festival.
Winners must host a victory show within a timely manner. The two titleholders must also work together to host a benefit show for a local nonprofit. Additional appearances or events will be discussed before obligation.

Music & Rehearsal Requirements

All contestants must attend rehearsal.
All music must be submitted as an MP3 to FlixxDj@gmail.com by Thursday, August 13, 2026.
Special lighting, DJ, or emcee cues must be submitted at rehearsal.
Questions about rehearsal or show flow may be directed to Show Director Ruben Sanchez.

Important Prohibited Items
No glitter. No confetti. No fire. No water. No nudity. No animals. No exceptions.

Read the Full Rules & Policies
Before applying, contestants should review the full rules, category descriptions, judging information, dressing room policies, rehearsal rules, and disqualification guidelines.

View Full Rules & Policies

FAQ
Why is this called the 2027 Royalty Pageant if it happens in 2026?
The newly crowned royalty will represent Heartland Pride from the conclusion of the pageant until their successors are crowned at the next Heartland Pride Royalty Pageant. During that time, they hold the title of the official Heartland Pride 2027 Royalty.
Is this pageant divided by gender?
No. This is a non-gender-specific competition. All contestants compete together, and the top two overall scores become Heartland Pride Royalty.
How much does it cost to apply?
The prepaid entry fee is $50 through Monday, August 10, 2026. After that, the late entry fee is $75 and will be accepted until 7:00 PM on Thursday, August 13, 2026.
Who should I contact with questions?
Please contact Lucy Cerise at Entertainment@heartlandpride.org.

Apply for Heartland Pride 2027 Royalty
If you are ready to bring your artistry, creativity, presence, and community spirit to the stage, we invite you to apply.

Complete the Application

Heartland Pride Royalty Pageant Rules & Policies
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Official Rules & Regulations
This pageant is a non-gender-specific competition. All entertainers compete together, and the top two scores become the new Heartland Pride Royalty regardless of gender, illusion style, drag style, burlesque style, or performance presentation.
Judging Categories

Personal Interview — 50 points
Creative Presentation — 40 points
Evening Fashion — 40 points
Onstage Question and Answer — 40 points
Talent — 60 points

Personal Interview
Interviews last up to 10 minutes. Contestants should prepare a 30-second introduction and may present as their drag persona or everyday self.
Creative Presentation
Creative Presentation has a two-minute time limit and must reflect the theme “Throw Your Brick.” The costume should include every color of the Pride flag the contestant most identifies with.
Evening Fashion
Contestants should present a clean, elegant, high-fashion, tasteful, and sophisticated look that reflects their elevated presentation.
Onstage Question and Answer
Contestants will select one envelope containing a unique question and will have up to three minutes to respond.
Talent
Talent has an 11-minute total limit: two minutes for setup, seven minutes for performance, and two minutes for teardown. Time infractions may result in a one-point deduction per judge.
Strictly Prohibited

No glitter
No confetti
No fire or pyrotechnics
No water
No nudity
No live animals
No exceptions

Disqualification & Point Deductions
Music must not contain racial slurs. Nudity, illegal substances, excessive alcohol consumption, theft, tampering with property, or failure to follow venue and pageant rules may result in disqualification and removal from the venue.
Any contestant not in the designated place at the designated time, including music turn-in, check-in, or the start of the show, may receive a one-point deduction per judge.
Contestant Rules

Contestants must be 21 before August 15, 2026.
Contestants must follow all Heartland Pride and Flixx rules and policies.
Heartland Pride reserves the right to remove any contestant deemed impaired or intoxicated.
All judges’ and staff decisions are final and binding.
Participation in the pageant is voluntary.

Dressing Room Policies
Friends, relatives, and well-wishers are not allowed in the dressing room. Each contestant and one helper may enter without cover charge.
Only one dresser is allowed in the dressing room at one time.
Rehearsal Rules

All contestants must attend rehearsal.
All music must be submitted as an MP3 to FlixxDj@gmail.com by Thursday, August 13, 2026.
Special lighting, DJ, or emcee cues must be submitted at rehearsal.

Contestant Agreement
By registering, contestants confirm that they have read, understood, and agree to comply with all official rules and regulations of the competition.

Continue to Application

Nebraska Black Pride 2026
2026-08-16 - 2026-08-23 | NE
August 16-23, 2026 | Omaha, NE
Nebraska Black Pride is hosting their very first full weekend celebration centering LGBTQ+ Black joy, love, and community — and Heartland Pride is proud to support this historic event.
Why You Should Attend:
This is a one-of-a-kind Pride weekend dedicated to uplifting Black LGBTQ+ voices and culture—through film, drag, food, laughter, and community connection.
Follow NE Black Pride on social media for ticket info, volunteer opportunities, sponsorship details, performer line-ups, and event updates.
Let’s laugh, vogue, feast, and celebrate all weekend long!

Additional information will be posted here as it becomes available.

NOVA Steps Toward Hope - A Mental Health and Recovery Walk
2026-09-13 12:00 - 18:00 | Lewis and Clark Landing, 515 North Riverfront Drive, Omaha, NE, 68102, United States
NØVA Steps Toward Hope is a community awareness walk focused on mental health, recovery, hope, and connection. Hosted by NØVA Treatment Community LLC., this event invites the public, LGBTQIA+ community members, youth, families, allies, and neighbors across the Heartland to come together in support of people impacted by mental health and recovery journeys.
Join the walk, stay for the festival-style activities, and help create a welcoming space where healing, visibility, and community care are honored.

Community event announcement: NØVA Steps Toward Hope will include an awareness walk for mental health and recovery, followed by festival activities at Lewis and Clark Landing.

Quick Event Details

Event: NØVA Steps Toward Hope – A Mental Health and Recovery Walk
Date: Sunday, September 13, 2026
Time: 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Location: Lewis and Clark Landing
Audience: General public, LGBTQIA+ community members, youth, families, and allies
Hosted by: NØVA Treatment Community LLC.

Learn More About NØVA

About the Walk
NØVA Steps Toward Hope is designed to raise awareness for mental health and recovery while bringing people together in a supportive, community-centered setting. The walk offers a meaningful way to show support for people navigating recovery, honor personal and community journeys, and help reduce stigma around mental health.
After the awareness walk, attendees are invited to stay for festival activities and opportunities to connect with others in a welcoming environment.
Event Logistics
The event will take place at Lewis and Clark Landing. Attendees are encouraged to plan ahead for parking, weather, walking distance, and any personal comfort needs for an outdoor community event.
Schedule: The event runs from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Additional timing details for the walk and festival activities may be announced by the event organizer.
Accessibility, Inclusion, and Safety
Heartland Pride shares community events with the goal of helping people find welcoming spaces where they can connect, participate, and feel a sense of belonging. This event is open to the general public and welcomes LGBTQIA+ community members, families, youth, and allies.
Attendees are encouraged to respect each person’s name, pronouns, identity, boundaries, and lived experience. Mental health and recovery can be deeply personal topics, and community care matters.
Accessibility details: [Add accessibility information, including route surface, seating availability, restrooms, ASL interpretation if available, sensory considerations, and mobility access.]
FAQ
Who can attend NØVA Steps Toward Hope?
This event is open to the general public, including LGBTQIA+ community members, youth, families, and allies.
Is this event only for the LGBTQIA+ community?
No. The event is not specific only to the LGBTQIA+ community, but LGBTQIA+ attendees and allies are welcome.
What kind of event is this?
This is an awareness walk focused on mental health and recovery, with festival-style activities following the walk.
Do I need to register?
[Add registration details. If registration is not required, update this section to say attendees may arrive during the event time.]
Where can I learn more?
Visit the NØVA Treatment Community website for more information about their work and updates.
Visit NØVA’s Website

Coming Together for Hope and Recovery
Events like NØVA Steps Toward Hope help strengthen community connection and remind people that they are not alone. Heartland Pride is glad to share opportunities that support mental health awareness, recovery, inclusion, and belonging throughout the Heartland.
