Halloween ComicFest 2019!

Enter the Halloween ComicFest costume contest!

Contest Categories: Youth (Ages 0-11), Youth (Ages 12-17) and Adults (18+)

• First, second and third place prizes will be awarded in each age bracket for costumes that display the most outstanding Quality, Accuracy, Effort, and Presentation.

• Costumes of all shapes and sizes are allowed: Superheroes, supervillans, princesses, puppies, fairies, pirates, robots, and Jedis are all welcome! Judges will be looking for the spookiest, sparkliest, most colorful, craziest, well crafted and creative costumes in the children's contest. Costumes may be homemade or store bought.

• Register in person Saturday, October 26, 1:00 - 2:15 p.m. Prejudging will be completed at the time of registration.
• Costume parade starts at 2:30 p.m. starting with Youth (Ages 0-11) group, followed by Youth (Ages 12-17), and Adult. Prizes will be awarded after costume parade. Must be present to win.

Costume Contest Guidelines

Costume Guidelines

• Costumes from all genres of fandom and non-cosplay Halloween costumes are acceptable. Handmade and self-constructed costumes are highly encouraged but not necessary.
• No construction materials will be provided by the library so please come prepared. 
• As a courtesy to other library patrons, please have any makeup or costuming done before the event.
• All costumes must be family-friendly and appropriate for all ages.
  • Nudity or any illusion to it is prohibited. All contestants must have at least 60% of their body covered with clothing- extreme necklines, bare chests are not allowed. Contestants wearing Mesh, sheer or other see-through clothing or body paint as a part of their costume must still meet the minimum coverage requirements.
  • All contestants must wear clothing (shorts, skirt, etc) that completely covers their behind. 
• Shoes, boots, slippers, or plastic type foot prosthetics are required (socks are not considered foot coverings.) If your character does not wear shoes, the lack of accuracy in your costume will be forgiven. 
• Makeup, body paint or face paint should not come off in casual contact.
• No open carry of firearms. Costume weapons must meet weapons policy guidelines.
• For safety reasons, the following props are not allowed:
  • Live animals (with the exception of service animals)
  • Substances that might damage or stain facilities or other costumes and participants (i.e. fake blood, glitter, confetti, silly string, water, messy body or face paint etc.)
  • Aerosol Sprays (Please apply hairspray or hair color before you leave home)
  • Projectiles of any kind. Don't throw anything. 
  • Flames, pyrotechnics or explosives of any kind.
  • Metal bats, large wrenches or shovels.
• ComicFest staff have the right to modify these rules on the spot to protect conference attendees and the safety of the event.

Contest Guidelines

• Contestants must register for the contest by 2:15 p.m.
• Contestants will have 45 seconds to complete the catwalk. This is enough time to walk to the end of the catwalk, strike a pose and walk back.
• Costume parade will be filmed and photographed. Please see Photo and Video Policy for details.
• Swearing, sexual humor, flashing, extreme political or religious statements or other inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated. Contestants engaging in such behavior will be immediately disqualified and removed from the event.
• For safety reasons, no running, jumping, or acrobatics. 
• Throwing props is not allowed. 
• Awards will be presented shortly after each group. Prizes must be claimed on-site and winners must be present to win.
• DISCLAIMER: Full-time WSU Libraries employees and their children are not eligible to win costume contest prizes. 
• CONTESTANTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY AND ALL DAMAGES AND/OR MEDICAL BILLS THAT MAY OCCUR AS A RESULT OF NOT OBEYING THE RULES.
• ComicFest Staff have the right to modify these rules on the spot to protect conference attendees and safety of the event.

Costume Contest Judging Criteria

Quality
What we look at: If your costume is handmade or store bought, we look at the stitching, material and fit. Handmade costumes get a bonus on this category. If you have compiled your costume from things found around the house, we look at how you have modified them, how you paired them and how creative you were. We also take into account, wig styling and make-up.

Tips: We favor handmade costumes over anything else. If your costume is handmade, make sure to let us know how you made it, if not, try and put more emphasis on something you styled, like your wig or make-up. Chinese fancy dress quality costumes will score much lower than well-tailored ones.

Accuracy
What we look at: We will be checking how faithful your costume, hair, make-up and props are to the character you’re dressing as.

Tips: Print out a picture of your character showing the full costume. Do mention any variations or specific versions you took into account. If what you’re dressing as is not an existing character, mention at least a point of reference or inspiration.

Presentation
What we look at: The goal of the costume is to look as much like your character as possible, this includes body motions and phrases you say. Those who act in character will score higher than those who do not.

Tips: Talk in the tone of your character and try to say things that he would say. Stand, pose and move like him too.

Effort
What we look at: We will try and determine how hard each person had to work to complete his costume, find a rare prop, style the appropriate wig or do his make-up.

Tips: Make sure to tell the judges how long you worked on compiling your costume and point out details that required effort to complete.

2019 Costume Contest Judges

Michela Gray (anime angel cosplay) has been cosplaying since the age of 14. She hosts panels at local conventions and is in a dance group that performs at conventions.

Rebecca Morton (Oh-Kaye Cosplay) has been cosplaying for 10 years, 4 of those professionally. She participates in various conventions with her family and friends and continues to work hard on furthering her talents while doing what she loves most.

Paul Rattana (Average Asian) is an award winning cosplayer based out of Wichita, KS. He has been attending conventions since 2012 with cosplays based off of anime, comics and tv shows.

Ashley Walker (Eirei-Holostar) is a fun loving cosplay enthusiast who loves anime science fiction and music. Feel free to stop by and say hi!