Standard Contest Rules & Expectations

Costume/Contest Types

  • Steampunk
    A costume based on a Steampunk-inspired theme
  • Open/Any All Costumes
    Any costume is welcome, no restrictions on genre or type
  • Open/Any All Costumes (Under 12 Only)
    Any costume is welcome, no restrictions on genre or type but only children Under 12 years-old may enter
  • Video Game Character
    A costume based on a video game character, any character found in a video game qualifies including Non-Playable Characters (NPC)
  • People’s Choice
    All entrants in the above contests are automatically entered into a separate contest, votes are cast online to determine the winner

Costume Requirements

  • You must wear a costume, no costume is not a costume
  • You must, at least, wear as much clothing as one would to a public swimming pool (bikini-level coverage)
  • Adhere to all weapon policies and other safety requirements as designated or implied

Prohibited Items and Activities

  • No fire, flame, smoke, fog, dry ice, wind, lasers, pressurized gases or liquids
  • No messy substances such as wet, dry, or oily
  • No sexual activity or contact, real or implied
  • No harassment, making fun of others’ costumes, damaging or destruction of costumes
  • No skits or other performances, planned or impromptu, this is NOT a Masquerade
  • No audio, music or other sound usage

Judging Criteria

  • Accuracy/Originality, 20%.
    How accurate is the costume to the character design or, in case of an original piece, the unique style and substance.
  • Craftsmanship, 20%.
    How well is the costume put together, including manufactured versus custom components.
  • Level of Complexity, 20%.
    How difficult was the costume to re-create including attention to detail.
  • Personification, 20%.
    How well does the person embody the spirit/essence of the character.
  • Overall Rating, 20%.
    A score based on the judge’s opinion of the entirety of the presentation.

Special Rules

  • All entrants must bring and submit a photo at the event of the character/design their costume is based on, Steampunk and original designs are excluded