COSPLAY CONTEST & EVENTS
SATURDAY SCHEDULE
10:00AM – 1:30 PM: Adult Cosplay Competition Registration (Admissions)
11:00AM: Knightmage Panel: Cosplay & Charity (Congressional Room)
12:00PM – 2:30PM: Pre-Judging for Adult Competition (Pennsylvania Room)
2:30PM: Call time for Adult Cosplayers for Competition & Showcase (Pennsylvania Room)
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM: Adult Cosplay Competition & Showcase (Congressional Room)
11:00AM: Knightmage Panel: Cosplay & Charity (Congressional Room)
12:00PM – 2:30PM: Pre-Judging for Adult Competition (Pennsylvania Room)
2:30PM: Call time for Adult Cosplayers for Competition & Showcase (Pennsylvania Room)
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM: Adult Cosplay Competition & Showcase (Congressional Room)
SUNDAY SCHEDULE
10:00AM – 1:00PM: Kids Cosplay Competition Registration (Admissions)
12:00PM – 1:00PM: Knightmage Panel: Cosplay 101 (Congressional Room)
1:30PM: – Call time for Kids Cosplayers for Competition & Showcase (Pennsylvania Room)
2:00PM – 3:00PM: Kids Cosplay Competition & Showcase (Congressional Room)
12:00PM – 1:00PM: Knightmage Panel: Cosplay 101 (Congressional Room)
1:30PM: – Call time for Kids Cosplayers for Competition & Showcase (Pennsylvania Room)
2:00PM – 3:00PM: Kids Cosplay Competition & Showcase (Congressional Room)
General Cosplay Rules
Hershey Comic Con is a family-friendly event; therefore all cosplayers are expected to abide by all of our rules and regulations.
Failure to follow these rules will result in removal from the premises.
Hershey Comic Con is a family-friendly event; therefore all cosplayers are expected to abide by all of our rules and regulations.
Failure to follow these rules will result in removal from the premises.
1. All weapons will be subject to safety inspection upon admission to Hershey Comic Con. No exceptions. Props and replica weapons cannot pose a safety threat. No firearms, projectiles, thrown objects. No explosive devices, including but not limited to flashpots, confetti cannons, or items that produce similar special effects are allowed.
2. No Nudity. It's said that “clothes make the man (or woman)” and cosplay is no exception. No clothes = No costume.
2. No Nudity. It's said that “clothes make the man (or woman)” and cosplay is no exception. No clothes = No costume.
ADULT COMPETITION
Registration for the Adult Competition will begin when Hershey Comic Con opens at 10:00AM on Saturday, June 29, 2024 and will be located at the Admissions area.
Registration will last until 1:00PM that afternoon.
Pre-Judging will be held from 12:00 PM until 2:00 PM in the Pennsylvania Room. All competitors who have crafted/modified at least 50% of their cosplay will need to be pre-judged. The Pre-Judging process is not open to public viewing.
Call time for all Adult competitors will be at 2:30PM in the Pennsylvania Room. We ask that every participant be on time, so that our staff can organize and instruct everyone in a manner that ensures you all can showcase your wonderful work for the audience and judges.
The Adult Cosplay Competition & Showcase will be held from 3:00PM to 4:00PM in the Congressional Room. This is where you will be able to show off and briefly perform for the audience. Once everyone has taken their bow, a short final deliberation will take place between the judges, followed by the awards ceremony.
Adult Cosplay Competition & Showcase Rules
1. The Adult Cosplay Competition is for cosplayers ages of 13 and older.
2. There is a limit of one entry per participant. Competitors may not enter as both a single entry and part of a group.
3. Speaking of group entries, groups are defined as two or more participants who would like to be judged together. Adult Cosplay Competition group entries will be eligible for the Best Group Award, with a $50 prize to be split among the winners at their discretion.
4. All adult competitors who have crafted/modified at least 50% of their cosplay will need to be pre-judged.
5. There is a limit of 40 pre-judging spots available. The judges reserve the right to open up more if possible on the day of the event.
6. Reference and Work-In-Progress build books are advised, but not required for pre-judged entries.
7. All competitors who are not pre-judged will be eligible for the Best Masquerade Award, for those who crafted/modified less than 50% of their cosplay or are appearing in a store bought costume.
2. There is a limit of one entry per participant. Competitors may not enter as both a single entry and part of a group.
3. Speaking of group entries, groups are defined as two or more participants who would like to be judged together. Adult Cosplay Competition group entries will be eligible for the Best Group Award, with a $50 prize to be split among the winners at their discretion.
4. All adult competitors who have crafted/modified at least 50% of their cosplay will need to be pre-judged.
5. There is a limit of 40 pre-judging spots available. The judges reserve the right to open up more if possible on the day of the event.
6. Reference and Work-In-Progress build books are advised, but not required for pre-judged entries.
7. All competitors who are not pre-judged will be eligible for the Best Masquerade Award, for those who crafted/modified less than 50% of their cosplay or are appearing in a store bought costume.
Awards
Best in Show
Grand Prize of $100 |
Best Craftsmanship
$75 Prize |
Best Group
$50 Prize |
Best Performance
$25 Prize |
Best Masquerade
In addition to those listed above, there will be 3 Judge's Awards, to be given by each judge to a competitor who did not place in any of aforementioned categories. There will also an Audience Choice Award, to be voted on by the Audience to be given to the competitor with the most votes that did not receive any of the previously listed awards.
In addition to those listed above, there will be 3 Judge's Awards, to be given by each judge to a competitor who did not place in any of aforementioned categories. There will also an Audience Choice Award, to be voted on by the Audience to be given to the competitor with the most votes that did not receive any of the previously listed awards.
KIDS COMPETITION
Registration for the Kids Competition will begin when Hershey Comic Con opens at 10:00AM on Sunday, June 30, 2024 and will be located at the Admissions area. Registration will last until 1:00PM that afternoon.
Call time for all Kids competitors will be 1:30PM in the Pennsylvania Room. All participants under 12 years of age must be accompanied by a legal adult. We ask that every participant be on time, so that our staff can organize and instruct everyone in a manner that ensures you all can showcase your wonderful work for the audience and judges.
The Kids Cosplay Competition & Showcase will be held from 2:00PM to 3:00PM in the Congressional Room. This is where you will be able to show off and briefly perform for the audience. Once everyone has taken their bow, deliberations will take place between the judges, followed by the awards ceremony.
Kids Cosplay Competition & Showcase Rules
Failure to follow these rules and guidelines can result in disqualification from the contest and the forfeit of any prizes.
Registration for the Kids Competition will begin when Hershey Comic Con opens at 10:00AM on Sunday, June 30, 2024 and will be located at the Admissions area. Registration will last until 1:00PM that afternoon.
Call time for all Kids competitors will be 1:30PM in the Pennsylvania Room. All participants under 12 years of age must be accompanied by a legal adult. We ask that every participant be on time, so that our staff can organize and instruct everyone in a manner that ensures you all can showcase your wonderful work for the audience and judges.
The Kids Cosplay Competition & Showcase will be held from 2:00PM to 3:00PM in the Congressional Room. This is where you will be able to show off and briefly perform for the audience. Once everyone has taken their bow, deliberations will take place between the judges, followed by the awards ceremony.
Kids Cosplay Competition & Showcase Rules
Failure to follow these rules and guidelines can result in disqualification from the contest and the forfeit of any prizes.
1. The Kids Cosplay Competition is for cosplayers between the ages of 12 and under. To ensure the safety of younger cosplayers, participants under 12 years of age must be accompanied by a legal adult.
2. There is a limit of one entry per participant. Competitors may not enter as both a single entry and part of a group.
3. Speaking of group entries, groups are defined as two or more participants who would like to be judged together. Kids Cosplay Competition group entries will taken into consider along with individual entries for 1st , 2nd , and 3rd Place Awards.
2. There is a limit of one entry per participant. Competitors may not enter as both a single entry and part of a group.
3. Speaking of group entries, groups are defined as two or more participants who would like to be judged together. Kids Cosplay Competition group entries will taken into consider along with individual entries for 1st , 2nd , and 3rd Place Awards.
MEET YOUR JUDGES
KNIGHTMAGE
International Cosplayer, Entertainer, & Philanthropist Michael “Knightmage” Wilson is a 24-year Deputy Sheriff for the Mahoning County Sheriff's Office in Youngstown, Ohio, and an award winning renowned International Cosplayer who has turned the art of cosplay from a hobby to a full-fledged passion. Genuinely loving to entertain, create, inspire and spread positivity, cosplaying has become that avenue. Having created over 380 costumes since 2012 and worked with over 200 charities word-wide to being a decorated Deputy Sheriff to working on big budget Hollywood films to receiving awards such as the Presidential Volunteers Service Award from Barack Obama for his charity work, Knightmage continues to strive to be a representative of ideas and possibilities. |
NATE CHARLES
Cosplay Competition Director Nate Charles is an avid comic book and gaming fanatic who has long since admired the art of cosplay, but only recently worked up the courage to pursue it himself. Being charged with organizing Hershey Comic Con's Cosplay Competition & Showcase is something that he considers a huge honor and witnessing all the wonderful work the competitors display and the fun they have doing so never ceases to inspire him at each and every convention. |
EMILY SHARPE
Sponsor Emily Sharpe has been a licensed Cosmetologist for 8 years and has over 10 years of experience. In May of 2023 she opened Sharpe Shears with the My Salon Suite franchise. She feels very blessed by being able to do what she loves everyday! She continues her education both online & hands on, going to various classes in the field. Emily has been Cosplaying for as long she can remember. Her dad, Dave Sharpe works in the comic book industry and she’s always had a love for that genre. One of her favorite people to cosplay recently is Harley Quinn. Dave Sharpe also Lettered a whole series of Harley Quinn which is also a big part in why Emily likes cosplaying her. |