Cosplay Rules & Guidelines

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1. Family-Friendly Event:

• All costumes at Tri-Cities Powerhouse Comic Con must be appropriate for a family-friendly environment. "Swimsuit areas" must be covered at all times, and no nudity or offensive attire is allowed.

• Full body-paint costumes are permitted but will not be eligible for craftsmanship judging.

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2. Weapons & Props Policy:

• Real weapons are strictly prohibited. This includes firearms, sharp blades, and other potentially dangerous items.

• Allowed props: Foam or plastic weapons, lightweight replicas, and non-functional bows or guns (no triggers or ammunition). Prop firearms are permitted only if they are clearly distinguishable from real weapons and must have an orange tip. Prop bows are allowed as long as all arrows have soft tips and are not intended to be shot. 

• Prohibited items: metal blades whether sharp or blunt e.g. swords, axes, and knives; actual guns, rifles, or artillery; heavy bats; toughened plastic training sword; explosives and incendiary devices; functional strung bows or crossbows, sharp arrows or bolts; heavy gas canisters; protruding nails or other sharp items; laser pointers. All props must be safe to be worn and/or carried around in public. 

• All prop weapons must be inspected and peace-bonded by staff upon entry. Non-compliant items will be confiscated or must be removed from the premises.

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3. Uniforms:

• If you plan to wear a uniform that looks highly realistic, please make sure it is clearly identifiable as a costume. Costumes that could be mistaken for local law enforcement, emergency services, or military personnel are not allowed. Official uniforms or any attempt to impersonate these professionals are strictly prohibited.

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4. Costume Safety:

• Costumes must not restrict movement or vision in a way that could endanger the wearer or others.

• Avoid costumes that could cause a hazard, such as overly large wings, long trains, or heavy materials that may obstruct pathways and/or could damage property or injure others.

• Any assistants or handlers needed for your cosplay will be required to purchase their own admission.

• No vapes, smoke machines, or fog machines. Anything that produces smoke or vapors is not allowed.

• Shoes must be worn at all times. Even if your character is barefoot, attendees must wear appropriate footwear for safety.

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5. Behavior & Conduct:

• Cosplay is not consent. Always ask before touching or taking photos or videos of others' costumes.

• Harassment, inappropriate behavior, or hate speech will not be tolerated. Any costume intended to harass, provoke, or intimidate isn’t allowed. Any violations will result in immediate removal from the event.

• Respect other attendees and their personal space. Remember, we're all here to enjoy the convention.

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6. Respect the Venue, Vendors, and Attendees:

• Avoid using substances like glitter, confetti, or any material that may cause damage or leave a mess.

• Be mindful of delicate props or materials near venue fixtures, artwork, and merchandise.

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​​All rules are subject to change without prior notice. 

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