(AP) = Audience Participation, (ET) = Experts Talk
Note: Barbara Hambly’s Reading & QandA will be on Sunday at 11am in Suite 215!
Each year, ConGregate remembers contributors that we have lost from the science fiction and fantasy world. The tradition began in memory of Aaron Allston, who was well known for his love of Hawaiian shirts.
We encourage everyone to wear a Hawaiian shirt on Friday, July 14.
Costume Contest Rules & Information
The ConGregate Costume Contest is open to any costumed individual or group, but all participants must have valid ConGregate membership badges.
The event will be held on Saturday night. (See our program book and or Sched.com for the time.)
Costume Contest sign-up sheets will be located at the Registration table and available until noon on Saturday.
No entries will be accepted after that time.
If you have audio material to be played while you are on stage, please have it recorded on an otherwise blank CD, which is labeled with your name, your badge number, and the name of your costume (or group).
There should be no more than ten (10) seconds of blank time before your audio begins to play. The audio must be turned in with your Costume Contest sign-up sheet. ConGregate cannot guarantee your audio will be played during your presentation. We reserve the right to review music before allowing it to be used. CDs can be reclaimed after the Costume Contest awards are presented.
If you plan to use music during your presentation, you must provide written permission from the artist prior to the Costume Contest.
There will be no live microphone for contestants to use on stage.
There will be no spotlights or other light effects available on stage.
If you plan to draw or otherwise “use” a weapon during your presentation, note that on your Costume Contest sign-upsheet. Judges will make any necessary determination of suitability and safety.
If you are taking part in a group entry, only one Costume Contest sign-up sheet is necessary for the entire group, but the name and badge number of all group members must be listed on that sheet.
The contest is open to all ages. An adult must accompany children under 12. Parents can accompany their children onstage. Entrants under 12 will not be judged, but will receive certificates for participating.
Awards categories may include: Best in Show, Best Craftsmanship, Top Novice, Top Journeyman, Top Master, and Judge's Choice. Depending on the number of entrants, other awards may be added.
Participants will be judged on costume construction, originality, and presentation. Decisions of the judges will be final.
Categories Definitions:
No individual may present more than one costume in the contest. You cannot wear a costume onstage, then change into another costume and present it, too, for competition.
Individuals are limited to one (1) minute on stage. Groups entries are limited to one (1) minute plus thirty (30) seconds for each additional member up to a maximum of three (3) minutes on stage. There will be no extended songs, skits, monologues, or conversations.
Any of the following on stage will result in disqualification and ejection from the Costume Contest: smoke effects, open flames, squirting liquids, firing projectiles, throwing objects into the audience or at the MC, use of obscene language, pornographic representations, full or partial nudity. Help us keep ConGregate a safe and family-friendly convention.
We ask that anyone with a costume which has won three (3) or more major (Best, Top, or 1st Place) costume competition awards elsewhere not enter that particular costume into ConGregate competition unless it has been significantly changed or improved.
Participants need to be in the Green Room (please see the program for its location) at least one (1) hour before Costume Contest time to be pre-judged and assigned a place in line. If you have a re-creation costume, bring any supporting photos, illustrations text passages, models, or other reference materials with you for judges to examine. Please remember to EAT before pre-judging!!!
It is possible that latecomers may not be allowed to participate, even if they have registered by turning in a sign-up sheet.
The Green Room will be secured as possible while the Costume Contest is taking place. Only identified contestants or their parents will have access to the Green Room in that time period.
ConGregate reserves the right to remove anyone from the contest, at any time, for any reason, including but not limited to: indecent costume, unprofessional conduct, tardiness, and disruption of the contest.
Participants must stay within the contest area (the Costume Contest room, Green Room, or designated meeting area) until judging is completed and awards are presented.
Sign-up Form: http://con-gregate.com/costume-contest
