5th Annual Duck Tape 'Stuck@Prom' Contest

It's on, bigger and better than ever.

Nearly 2,000 couples have entered during the five years the contest has existed.

Entries are still being taken and will be until June 10, 2005.

Then the judging begins.

"First, second and third place winners will be chosen by a panel of judges including Jim & Tim, the famed Duct Tape Guys, and Todd Scott, duct tape guru and sculptor."

"Winners will be judged on a number of criteria, including workmanship, originality, creative use of accessories and quantity of duct tape used [more is better]."

Just so you have an idea of what you're getting into, note that last year's winning dress (top), made and worn by Caitlyn Waters of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, weighed 30 pounds.

Caitlyn said, in a story about the contest that appeared in this past Sunday's New York Times, "... It was extremely hot and uncomfortable."

But the $2,500 scholarship she won, with an equal amount to her partner, Kris Murray, led her to conclude, "It was worth it."

Want to see what it takes to be a winner?

Have a look here at the previous champions, some of whom are pictured above and below.

There are two basic ways contestants approach the contest: one is to affix duct tape to existing prom dresses and suits, the other to create a new fabric de novo, as it were, by putting the sticky sides of two pieces of tape together.

[via Abby Ellin and the New York Times]