The Costume Contest 

1pm - 2pm, Schlow Library grounds 

Show off your creative flair in the annual BookFestPA Costume Contest sponsored by Setsucon.  Celebrate favorite fandoms by showing off the costumes of the characters you love.  Check-in at the BookFest tent at 1pm in character for your number.  Mingle around the author's tents for the hour.  Our judges will evaluate the costumes within the hour and announce the winners at 2pm.  

For everyone’s comfort and safety, please keep in mind the following...

Costume Contest Rules: 

Consider: 

-Common sense: Please keep all costumes family friendly, wear shoes, etc.

-Mobility: It’s a fairly big lot, but having a 10 ft wingspan won’t fly. Please keep in mind how much space your cosplay takes up, and how easily it is to move around while wearing it, and adjust accordingly. Please also make sure that all face masks are removable.  

-Weather/Seasonally appropriate: We don’t want anyone to get heat stroke! We will be outside in 80℉+ weather, with little shade. Jon Snow didn’t wear his furs south of Winterfell, perhaps neither should you.

-Weapons and Prop policy: All props and weapons must be checked and approved at our check in desk. Absolutely NO real, projectile or realistic weapons will be permitted. Arts Fest also asks that you do not carry any weapon props around the rest of the festival. Acceptable props can be made of wood, plastic, foam, or similar material. Props cannot be over 7ft tall, more than 5ft wide, or weigh over 50 lbs. No live steel, metal, guns, chemicals or explosives will be permitted. Props must not have any sharp edges or chains longer than 18 in.

1. Register from 1:00 pm to 1:30 pm at the Setsucon Costume Contest Check-In table in the BookfestPA Tent (located in the Schlow parking lot) to receive your number. Any acceptable prop weapons will be checked.

2. Enjoy Bookfest! Please remain in the Library lot, so we can see your costume!

3. Our judges will announce the winners at 2 pm for the following categories: 

• Best in Show 

• Best Kids

• Most Creative 

Prizes include complimentary badges to Setsucon 2023, gift cards to local comic/game shops, or your pick from new books and graphic novels courtesy of Schlow Library.