Cosplay Contest Rules and Regulations

PeoriaCon® Cosplay Contest Rules and Regulations

We now have both a contest for the Best in Show prize pool and a youth cosplay contest with gift baskets for our younger cosplayers. Our Cosplay Contest is a character creativity and design award show. Cosplayers will be judged for originality, craftsmanship, and character personality. Themes could include, but are not limited to, superheroes, aliens, robots, anime, steampunk, and whatever else your imagination can come up with!

SARURDAY MAIN STAGE CONTEST(18 and Up)

CRAFTSMANSHIP DIVISIONS

NOVICE QUALIFICATIONS

1 or fewer costumes made
1 or fewer years participating in competitions

INTERMEDIATE QUALIFICATIONS

1-2+ wins for cosplay at large events
1-2+ years creating, or a significant number of competitions participated in

MASTER QUALIFICATIONS

3+ wins for cosplay at large events
5+ years creating, or a significant number of competitions participated in
Professional or paid creator

JUDGE'S CHOICE QUALIFICATIONS

No Qualifications

SHOW PRIZES

NOVICE ($50.00)
INTERMEDIATE ($50.00)
MASTER ($50.00)
JUDGE'S CHOICE (can move to the Best of Show contest)

BEST OF SHOW (show prize of $200.00)

The Best of Show is comprised of the winners of the NOVICE, INTERMEDIATE, MASTER, and JUDGE'S CHOICE categories. Participation will determine the winner of the Best of Show for a prize of $200.00.

SUNDAY MAIN STAGE CONTEST (17 and Under)

TEEN DIVISION

Age 14 TO 17
Must be accompanied with an adult

YOUTH DIVISION

Under age 13
Must be accompanied with an adult

SHOW PRIZES

TEEN DIVISION

1st Prize (Award and gift basket)
Runner-up (gift basket)

YOUTH DIVISION

1st Prize (Award and gift basket)
Runner-up (gift basket)

REGISTRATION

There is no additional fee to participate in the cosplay contest But cosplayers must attend PeoriaCon®.
All minors must have a parental signature to register.
Cosplay Registration will be available at the photo booth near the entrance. It will be a clearly marked table where you will register your cosplay character for the contest.
Upon check-in/onsite registration, contestants will be given a number. This is your line up number. Line Up begins at a half an hour before your chosen contest. Contestant should be in the seminar area at this time. The check-in registration should be concluded within the start of the contest.
Please note that entry to our contest is strictly on a first come, first serve basis. We reserve the right to cap the number of participants and to prejudge contestants to maintain our schedule.

RULES

To be in the Youth Cosplay Contest, you must have permission from a legal guardian.
Contestants must stay for the duration of the contest and must be present to receive their prize.
No nudity.
No profanity. This includes messages on clothes.
No political or religious statements. This includes messages on clothes.
No poor sportsmanship, harassment, or bullying.
You must register your character name prior to registration closing (15 minutes before line-up).
Cosplayers must comply with the Cosplay Policy and have approval of their cosplay by the Cosplay Clerk.
All props and cosplay must not cause any safety issues.
Anyone who violates these rules will be disqualified from the competition and asked to leave the convention.
Vendors, building staff members, and volunteers of PeoriaCon® are not eligible for prizes.

Cosplay Q&A

Will there be a dressing room available?
- No. It is best that you come already in costume
Is there anything I should not wear?
- Anything that might make people mistake you for a professional police officer, healthcare worker, soldier, fireman, and so on are prohibited and can get you removed from the event with no refund.
Is it alright if my costume is revealing?
- This is a show that the whole family can attend. Wearing any cosplay that reveals more than what a bathing suit would cover or that would be classified as undergarments can get you removed from the event with no refund.
Is it alright that I have a prop that looks like a real weapon?
- Bringing any object that can be misconstrued as a functional weapon can get you removed from the event with no refund. The Cosplay Clerk will have final say upon admission.
What type of props can I have?
- Other than your costume itself, foam equipment is recommended.
Where can I stop to have my picture taken?
- Feel welcome to step outside of high traffic areas any time you would like to take a photograph.
Do I have to have my picture taken?
- Although there are volunteers with the show that are taking photographs throughout the day you can ask to not have your picture taken.
Can I tell people not to take my picture?
- PeoriaCon® can not guarantee you will not be photographed, but you can ask photographers to refrain.

Cosplay Q&A

​

Will there be a dressing room available?

No. It is best that you come already in costume​

Is there anything I should not wear?

Anything that might make people mistake you for a professional police officer, healthcare worker, soldier, fireman, and so on are prohibited and can get you ​removed from the event with no refund.

Is it alright if my costume is revealing?

This is a show that the whole family can attend. Wearing any cosplay that reveals more than what a bathing suit would cover or that would be classified as undergarments ​can get you ​removed from the event with no refund.

Is it alright that I have a prop that looks like a real weapon?

Bringing any object that can be misconstrued as a functional weapon can get you ​removed from the event with no refund. The Cosplay Clerk will have final say upon admission.

What type of props can I have?

Other than your costume itself, foam equipment is recommended.​

Where can I stop to have my picture taken?

Feel welcome to step outside of high traffic areas any time you would like to take a photograph.

Do I have to have my picture taken?

Although there are ​volunteers with the show that are taking photographs throughout the day you can ask to not have your picture taken.

Can I tell people not to take my picture?

PeoriaCon® can not guarantee​ you will not be photographed, but you can ask photographers to refrain.

No. It is best that you come already in costume

Anything that might make people mistake you for a professional police officer, healthcare worker, soldier, fireman, and so on are prohibited and can get you removed from the event with no refund.

This is a show that the whole family can attend. Wearing any cosplay that reveals more than what a bathing suit would cover or that would be classified as undergarments can get you removed from the event with no refund.

Bringing any object that can be misconstrued as a functional weapon can get you removed from the event with no refund. The Cosplay Clerk will have final say upon admission.

Other than your costume itself, foam equipment is recommended.

Although there are volunteers with the show that are taking photographs throughout the day you can ask to not have your picture taken.

PeoriaCon® can not guarantee you will not be photographed, but you can ask photographers to refrain.