Cosplay Rules - White River Fan Con

🎭 COSPLAY RULES 🎭

Guidelines for Safe & Fun Cosplay

COSPLAY IS NOT CONSENT

White River Fan Con fully believes that COSPLAY IS NOT CONSENT. Please be respectful of your fellow congoers. We have no tolerance for harassment.

Staff Authority

White River Fan Con staff members have the final say on whether something is appropriate/inappropriate. If it's illegal outside the con, it's illegal inside the con.

General Rules

Basic Requirements

  • Badges must be visible at all times, regardless of your costume
  • White River Fan Con is an all-ages family friendly event - content should not go beyond PG-13 rating
  • All cosplay events have the potential to be photographed/filmed/recorded for future galleries or promotions
  • Footwear must be worn at all times

Dress Code Standards

  • All costumes must cover "swimsuit areas" - no nudity, no nipples visible regardless of gender
  • Excessively revealing clothing or costumes are not permitted
  • Private areas must be covered with opaque cloth at all times
  • Your attire must cover all areas normally covered by a swimsuit
  • Attendees in excessively revealing attire will be asked to change

Prohibited Content

  • Offensive language of any kind is not allowed - no racial or sexual epithets, no profanity
  • No sexual activity or contact - real or implied
  • No political, religious, insulting, or other demonstrations not related to your entry

Weapons Policy

Prohibited Weapons

  • NO functioning weapons permitted: guns, projectile weapons, knives, blunt objects
  • NO explosives: firecrackers, caps, fireworks
  • NO chemical weapons: mace, pepper spray, etc.
  • NO LIVE STEEL: swords, knives, bayonets, cane-swords, star knives/shurikens
  • Real guns and stun guns are NOT PERMITTED

Allowed Replica Weapons

  • Replica firearms (airsoft, BB guns, cap guns, paintball, pellet guns) must have orange tips
  • Water guns are permitted as long as they are not loaded
  • All weapons will be subject to inspection before entry and at any point during the event

Cosplay Contest

Contest Schedule

Contest Time: 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM
Sign-up Deadline: 1:45 PM Saturday (first 50 entries)

Contest Rules

  • One entry per person: either walk-on masquerade OR craftsmanship (not both)
  • Sign-up is first come, first serve for the first 50 entries
  • Contestants get about 3 minutes to present their cosplays
  • Up to 1 minute on stage (skits included) - going over results in disqualification
  • Lineup begins 20 minutes before contest time
  • All decisions made by judges are final

Stage Restrictions

  • No throwing anything off the stage or into the crowd
  • No pyrotechnics or special effects (fireworks, flash paper, smoke machines)
  • No messy substances: confetti, glitter, flower petals, water
  • No electrical power connections provided - power must be part of costume design
  • Everything brought on stage must be removed at end of time limit
  • You may surprise the audience, but never surprise the staff/judges

Eligibility

  • Costumes that have won major awards at other conventions are ineligible for major awards
  • Please be upfront about any awards your costume has won in the past
  • Contact cosplay coordinators with questions about awards or category placement

Minors

  • Contestants under 18 need a parent or legal guardian present to sign a waiver

Contest Categories

Craftsmanship

Must have made at least 50% of cosplay yourself

Prejudging: Saturday 11:30 AM - 2:00 PM

Masquerade

For any outfit that is slightly modified or bought

Performance-based category

Kids (Under 13)

Special category for cosplayers under 13 years

Note: If crafted more than 50%, indicate on form

Consequences

Anyone who violates these rules will be disqualified from the competition and required to leave the library. We reserve the right to remove anyone from this event at any time if actions pose a threat or hazard to others.