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:

1. All participants must be paid Members of SoonerCon. Children age 12 and under receive a free membership with paid accompanying adult membership(s).
2. Masquerade and Children’s Costume Contest participants must attend their Costume Contest’s pre-show meeting (unless excused by the Costume Chair) 30 minutes prior to the contest to receive final instructions and contest placement. The locations of these pre-show meetings are listed in the convention’s pocket program guide, available at Con HQ and Registration and at the costuming sign-up/info table.
3. All participants must complete and return a contest registration form by noon on Saturday, June 8 (age 13+ division) or by 10 a.m. on Sunday, June 9 (age 12 and under division).
4. Any audio/visual needs for the costume contests must be addressed by noon on Saturday, June 8 (age 13+ division) or by 10 a.m. on Sunday, June 9 (age 12 and under division) at the costuming sign-up/info table. All sound files must be on a flash drive. No cell phones, iPods, MP3 players, or other electronic devices will be accepted to play sound files. SoonerCon is not responsible for any provided media.
5. All weapons and props must be inspected by a member of the costume staff by noon on Saturday, June 8 (age 13+ division) or by 10 a.m. on Sunday, June 9 (age 12 and under division) at the costuming sign-up table. All local laws, codes, and regulations will be enforced, along with Convention Policies. If the weapon or prop is to be part of the contestant’s stage presentation, it must be previously cleared by the Costuming Chair. While staged fighting within a presentation is allowed, at no time will any weapon be used to threaten anyone outside their presentation, even in jest. Participants found in violation of this rule will be immediately removed and disqualified from the contest.
6. Onstage time will be determined by capacity and number of participants. Plan for 1 minute or less of stage presentation time.
7. Costumes must be finished before you get to the Staging Area. No sewing, gluing, soldering, or other construction work will be accepted, with exception for final assembly of large costumes and props or unexpected repairs.
8. Children under 12 must be attended by an adult at all times. This is strictly enforced.
9. Costumes with electric power requirements need to be self-contained, as there will be no access to power outlets.
10. Nudity: No costume is no costume. Nude or indecent (discretion of the Costuming Chair) entries will not be accepted. Please remember that children and members of the media may be present.
11. Do not leave anything on the stage that a Stage Minion cannot quickly remove. If you plan to leave anything on stage, please let us know so we can clear the stage before the next contestant enters. If using large props, you need to bring your own people to aid in getting them on and off stage. We will need this information at the Pre-Show Meeting.
12. No fire, loose glitter, confetti, explosives, projectiles or objects emitting smoke, vapors, excessive noise, or light are permitted.
13. Loud noises, untidy messes, dangerous weapons, and devices must have full, proper, and prior clearance by the Costuming Chair before entering the contest.
14. Bjo’s Trimble’s Corollary: You may surprise the audience, but do not surprise the committee, ever.
15. Bjo’s Second Corollary: Don’t ever underestimate the power of a Fire Marshal.
16. Reference image material for contest entries is encouraged, but not required. Judges are not always able to look-up reference images on their own, so it is best to show up prepared for the contest.
17. SoonerCon has the authority to eliminate anyone from the competition on the grounds of obscenity, harassing behavior, danger, contest rules violations, and Convention Policy violation.
18. Signature Requirement: Each entrant in the contest will be required to give their signature on their entry form to verify that they have read the rules and will adhere to them. Minors must have parent or guardian’s accompanying signature.
19. Costumers must select the category in which they wish to compete on their contest registration form:
    1. Master, Journeyman, Novice for Saturday’s Masquerade Costume Contest (age 13+ division). Convention Theme, What the…?, Show and Tell contest categories will be classified by the contest judges and/or Costuming Chair as applicable at competition.
    2. Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Comics, Anime, Con Theme for Sunday’s Children’s Costume Contest (age 12 and under division).
20. Children’s Contest participants should conceptualize and make their own costumes. Adults, parents, and siblings may help to some extent, but they should not be constructing the entire costume for the child to wear. Allow young contestants to be creative! The purpose of this contest division is for youth to discover the joy of costuming, to be able to compete against similarly-skilled participants, and not to crush the competition. Costumes that appear to made by an adult will be negatively regarded come judging.
21. Contact costuming@soonercon.com with any questions.

Relax and remember this is supposed to be FUN. Treat others with respect and courtesy. Remember to laugh.