Pontozó 2026

Hosted by the Hungarian Scout Folk Ensemble (Cleveland) and American Hungarian Friends of Scouting

Registration opens: January 13, 2026 
Registration closes: March 31, 2026 
Music submission deadline: March 31, 2026 
Hotel reservation cutoff: May 3, 2026 
Pontozó Adjudication: May 8-9, 2026 

Location | West Side Hungarian Reformed Church | 15300 Puritas Ave, Cleveland, OH 44135 

Contact | pontozo2026@gmail.com 

Host band | Gyanta Hungarian Folk Band

Lodging | A block of rooms has been reserved at Wyndham Cleveland Airport with a group rate of $149/night. Please note that the cut off date to make reservations for this group block is May 3, 2026. This hotel is within walking distance of the venue, approximately 10 min. 
To make reservations with the group block, call (216) 252-5333.

Parking | An abundance of parking will be available onsite, free of charge. 

Weekend Events

Friday  
7:00 PM–12:00 AM, Táncház 

Saturday 
8:00 AM – 12:00 PM, Rehearsal with band – for groups and solos 
12:00 PM – (approx) 5:00 PM, Adjudication 
8:00 PM – 2:00 AM, Táncház with dance instruction 

Throughout the day, organizers will screen films celebrating Hungarian culture. 

Sunday 
9:30 AM – Sunday Service at the West Side Hungarian Reformed Church. 
10:30 AM – Hungarian Folklife Association Annual Meeting for all organizational and group leaders 
10:30 AM – Instructional games and workshop for dancers not participating in the Network Meeting 

Dressing Room | An event tent will be set up outdoors with each group having their own assigned dressing space divided by tables. A limited amount of chairs and garment racks will be provided. Weather in Cleveland in May can be unpredictable, so please prepare for all eventualities. 

Food | Lunch will be provided for competitors on Saturday. Other food will be available for sale throughout the weekend. 

Regarding Adjudication | In honor of the 50th Anniversary of Pontozó in North America, our adjudicating panel will be composed of alumni organizers who have deep roots in the Hungarian diaspora and extensive experience with Hungarian cultural events, including Pontozó over the past five decades. They carry first-hand knowledge of where our community began and how it has evolved over the years. With an intrinsic understanding of our traditions, values, and artistic standards, they are uniquely positioned to evaluate our current progress. Their insight will guide us in celebrating our achievements and in shaping the vision for where we should go over the next 50 years. 

Pontozó 2026_Info Letter

TO DO LIST

1. Registration
Group competition registration
Pairs and male solo competition registration

2. Email a list of names/t-shirt sizes for all dancers in your group to pontozo2026@gmail.com by March 31. 

3. Upload music to shared folder, which can be found here. Please CREATE and LABEL your own folder in the Upload Music Here folder. Please include name(s) of dancer(s) and type of dance. 

4. Upload 10 photos of your group, at least 1 should be a group photo, to shared folder, which can be found here. Please CREATE and LABEL your own folder in the Upload Pictures Here folder. 

5. Upload 1 paragraph historical info about group to shared folder, which can be found here. 

6. Upload short “promo” video, “Mi is megyünk pontozóra!” to shared folder, which can be found here, and post to your group’s social media, if applicable.
 

COMPETITION CATEGORIES

Group Competition

• Registration link
• Music for the group number will be submitted via google shared folder by March 31; details below in “To Do” section. 
• Children group choreography – 4-6 minutes in length 
• Junior group choreography – 4-8 minutes in length 
• Senior group choreography – 5-9 minutes in length 

Pairs Dance (Minimum 2 years dance experience)

• Registration link 
• No required dance 
• 2 minute self-selected dance from any region 
• Guys may dance in up to two (2) pairs solos if they would like to dance with two separate partners. 
• Music for the solo numbers will be submitted via google shared folder by March 31; details below in “To Do” section. This music must be 2 minutes in length. 

Male Solos (Minimum 2 years dance experience)

• Registration link  
• No required dance 
• 2 minute self-selected dance 
• Music for the solo numbers will be submitted via google shared folder by March 31; details below in “To Do” section. This music must be 2 minutes in length. 

COMPETITION COSTS

1. Group Competition – $35 USD per dancer in group (includes t-shirt, lunch ticket, non-alcoholic drink ticket) 

2. Male and Pairs Soloists – $35 USD per dancer not participating in group (includes t-shirt, lunch ticket, non-alcoholic drink ticket) IMPORTANT: if you are participating in a group number that has been paid, there is no extra fee for competing in the solo portion of the competition 

3. Social Ticket prepay (for competitors) – $30 USD, includes Friday táncház and Saturday táncház 

Event Costs (Non-Competitors) 

• Friday táncház – $10 USD 
• Saturday táncház – $25 USD, Pay at the door only in USD 
• Saturday film screening – performers free, outsiders $10 USD 
• Social Ticket prepay (for non-competitors) – $30 USD, includes Friday táncház, Saturday táncház, payment options below 

PAYMENT OPTIONS

Regardless of which option you choose, please include a note explaining who/what you’re paying for. Include number of performers and non-performers, social ticket and/or competition fee, etc. 

• Zelle (regospenztar@gmail.com) 
• PayPal: American Hungarian Friends of Scouting (csbk.org > donate)
  • IMPORTANT: Make sure to “Add special instructions” and say that this is for Pontozó and which group/how many people/social tickets, etc. the payment is for. 
• Check: please make out to “Hungarian Scout Folk Ensemble” and send to Laszló Globits, 3828 Woodpath Trl, Westlake, OH 44145. Please make sure the check arrives by the registration deadline of March 31, 2026. 

 The Hungarian Scout Folk Ensemble Pontozó Organizing Committee 

• Slattery Kriszta (Ensemble Leader): 440-465-8172 
• Tihanyi László (Ensemble Leader): 510-697-0074 
• Balássy Béres Anikó (Consultant) 
• Globits László (Pontozó Treasurer): 440-376-2642 
• Pfeiffer Anita (Media, PR) 216-559-6335 
• Pigniczky Eszti (Project Co-Leader): 440-476-5761 
• Pigniczky Enese (Project Co-Leader): 216-296-5361 
• Szentkirályi Endre (Logistics) 
• Tábor Bea (Ensemble Treasurer) 

WHAT IS THE PONTOZÓ?

It is a folk dance and music gathering in North America where folk dance and music ensembles have an opportunity to come together as a community. The weekend also includes social events for dancers, and their families/friends.

HISTORY OF THE PONTOZÓ