New Costume/Cosplay Contest Rules!

No pre-registration necessary. 

Adult Contestants will queue up on the 4th floor, at the designated contest queue, beginning at 5:30 pm. There, Contestants will fill out a provided index card with their name, character information, category, and contestant number (which will be assigned along with the card).

Groups are permitted; however, should a Group win one of the prizes, only One (1) prize will be awarded.

Contestants will hold on to their card, then proceed into the grand ballroom. When instructed, Contestants will follow a path through the ballroom, stopping at one of four "pose points," allowing audience members to better see the costumes and take pictures.

The final "pose point" will be a Photographer's Backdrop, where their Official Contest Photo will be taken. Following that photo, the contestant will proceed to the stage, and hand their card to the emcee. As announced, the contestant will have 20 seconds to walk the stage, in front of the judges and the full audience.

The first 120 Adult contestants will be able to participate. If time permits, additional Contestants may be able to participate, at discretion of event management.

There are two Adult Categories - Best Comic/Video Game Costume, and Best Sci-Fi/Fantasy Costume. A Grand Prize and Runner-up will awarded in each category. 

Judging will be on three criterion: Craft / Originality, Stage Presence, and Crowd Reaction. With ten points possible in each slot, each costume has a max score of 30 from each judge, or a total of 120 points. If there's a tie between entries in points, judges are allowed to lobby between themselves to pick a clear Grand Prize and Runner-Up. There will also be a Special Judge's Award, from each Judge.

There will also be a separate Kids' Contest, held prior to the main Adult Contest. First, Second and Third Prize will be awarded in this contest. Contestants may start queueing up at the designated area on the Fourth Floor at 5:15 pm, and must be in line *no later than.* The first 30 Kids' contestants will be able to participate. If time permits, additional Contestants may be able to participate, at discretion of event management.