The Philadelphia Area Gaming Expo is proud to announce a Costume Contest sponsored by Wolfhouse Imaginarium and the East Coast Gaming Expo will be held on the main stage at 6PM Saturday, January 18th 2025.
Contest Categories & Prizes
- Best Original Design: A design original to the maker/wearer. It may be inspired by some pre-existing art or media but is not a copy of it.
- Best Costume Re-Creation: A costume copied from a pre-existing design, such as from a movie, comic book, published artwork, Broadway show, etc.
- Best Young Fan (ages 10 to 17).
- Prizes: Official Trophy, a pass to PAGE 2026, and a magic wand by Wolfhouse Imaginarium (you may select from those available at the convention, or request a custom wand made to order and shipped to you after the convention. Shipping to be paid by the winner.)
Rules
- Costumes must be of original construction or show modification of pre-existing materials. No costumes are allowed that are 100% purchased or otherwise obtained from a commercial source. It is expected that some may include some purchased items as elements, however if your entry utilizes many of these, please check with the Event Coordinator. As a general rule, at least 50% percent of what you bring onto the stage must be crafted. If it could pass for street clothes, it is not a costume. You need not have made the costume yourself; perhaps a friend or family member did, but it cannot be one that has been commercially purchased.
- Maximum time on stage is 1 minute 30 seconds. If you are with a group or you would like more time, check with the Event Coordinator.
- No liquids, messy substances, fog, or anything that may pose a danger is allowed on stage. The unsheathing of bladed weapons must be approved by the Event Coordinator prior to the Masquerade. No throwing things into the audience. No touching the Judges or MCs.
- Sign in for Grand Masquerade registration at Wolfhouse Imaginarium's vendor room booth (#17) by 3PM on Saturday, January 18th.
- You may register for the Costume Contest up until 3PM on Saturday, January 18th, however music may not be available for late registrations.
- Check in by 5 PM at the main stage before the event to allow the judges to take a close look at your costume. If you are in the Re-Creation category, have reference images ready for judging comparison.
- Contestants agree that fans and organizers may video record and or take photographs of their costumes for nonprofit promotional purposes.
- Nothing is allowed that would get an R rating at the movies as there are children in the audience. The Event Coordinator may reject an entry on the basis of inappropriate or unsafe behavior or content, or because of too many purchased items, or because the event has reached its limit for entries.
