Costume Contest Categories
Contestants and judges will use the International Costumers’ Guild (ICG) Fairness Guidelines Skill Division Guidelines for competition entries as a primary guide.
If any exceptions to this guide are made, they are outlined below for SoonerCon’s contest event. As a reference for planning your competition costume, please visit the Fairness Guideline website.
First Place: $100 cash | Runner-Up: Plaque
This competition category is for experienced and professional costumers and/or those who have won First Place at several previous competitions, including Best in Show. While any costumer may select this category, be advised that the level of competition will be high. Best Master and Runner-Up are awarded in this category.
First Place: $100 cash | Runner-Up: Plaque
This category is for costumers who have won ribbons at any previous competition. Competitors who have won prior Best in Show awards cannot enter or be placed in this category. Best Journeyman and Runner-Up are awarded in this category.
First Place: $100 cash | Runner-Up: Plaque
This category is for costumers competing for the first time as well as those who have not won First Place in a previous competition. Best Novice and Runner-Up are awarded in this category.
(Convention Theme)
First Place: $100 cash | Runner-Up: Plaque
This is a single award, given for the best representation of the SoonerCon convention’s theme and is chosen from the Novice, Journeyman, and Master categories. Winners from the Novice, Journeyman, and Master categories may also win this award.
Most What The…?: Plaque
The name says it all. Costumes that have no defined place have a place here! This category is a single award and is selected by SoonerCon’s Costuming Chair staff member.
Merit Awards: Ribbons
Have you spent hours scouring the internet for that perfect piece for your costume? This is the place for you. This category is for those who have purchased separate pre-made items from various sources for their costume, as well as any elements they’ve created and assembled. This category is for exhibition-only during the Saturday mainstage event and no awards will be given for costumes in this division.
Our categories this year closely align with the International Costumers Guild guidelines. While we ask the costumer to select an age division and competition category prior to the show, the Costume Chair will have final authority in determining the appropriate category entry for each contestant.
Contestants who have assembled their costume from commercially produced or otherwise primarily found assemblies are encouraged to enter the “Show and Tell” category of the competition.
The SoonerCon Costume Contest rules are modeled from standards found at other conventions in addition to the International Costumers Guild guidelines. The purpose of these rules is so that everybody can have a safe and enjoyable costuming experience:
Relax and remember this is supposed to be FUN. Treat others with respect and courtesy. Remember to laugh.