Sci-Fi on the Rock

Costume Contest

Hi there!

We are revamping some of our rules & procedures for both the Kids & Adult contest for 2024. We'll have them up soon so you can have a look before entering the contest!

how to enter

  1. Read over the Costume Contest Rules
  2. Check that you’ve followed the Cosplay Rules (below)
  3. All done? Sign up ONLINE!

Registration cut off times
Online: Thursday before the con @ 12:00pm
In-Person: Sunday of the con @ 12:00pm

COSTUME CONTEST
SUNDAY 5:00pm
Aviary (Court Garden)

WORKMANSHIP Pre-Judging
SUNDAY 1:00-2:50pm
Batcave (Plymouth Room)

Looking for the kids costume contest?

If you would like to enter your child into the Kids Costume Contest you can sign up in person at the Info Desk in the hotel lobby during the convention.

We ask that all children under the age of 12 be accompanied by a parent or guardian. 

KIDS COSTUME CONTEST
SATURDAY 1:00pm
Aviary (Court Garden)

cosplay rules

Cosplay is one of the most enjoyable aspects of the convention every year. However, we must take steps to maintain a safe and secure experience for all attendees.

We actively encourage the creativity and talent of all our attendees while designing their costumes but, caution them to keep the safety of the public, fellow attendees, staff and venue in mind.

To ensure this goal of a safe & happy convention, we have implemented the following policies:

weapons policy

prop review POLICY:

We have to see your prop weapon before you can come in.

While we are happy to answer prop questions via email or social media, we cannot approve a prop without seeing it in person during the convention. 

The prop must be seen and reviewed in person and judged on its exact condition at the point of entry for the Convention.

Please see our volunteers at the INFO DESK to have your prop reviewed and tagged.

The following rules apply to everyone at the convention, not just those entering the costume contest.

Please do not bring the following:

Any weapon(s) prohibited by Canadian law is not permitted. These will be seized and anyone found in possession of them will be asked to leave and henceforth be banned from Sci-Fi on the Rock Conventions and affiliated events. It is our public duty and obligation to report said person/person(s) to the authorities to take any legal action required.

INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO:

  • Blow Guns
  • Functional Air-soft Guns
  • BB guns
  • Paintball guns
  • General compressed air firearms
  • Replica firearms

or PROFESSIONAL WEAPONS GRADE:

    • Sling shots
    • Crossbows
    • Dart guns
    • Spear guns
    • Launchers

NO live ammunition firearms are permitted both by most laws, our own event policies and the hotel’s policy. This includes those firearms that have no loaded ammunition, or the firing bolt or pin removed. A disabled firearm is still of a potential danger should it become abled and we will confiscate it and if needed, contact authorities to remove you.

INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO:

  • Any concealable weapons (knives, brass knuckles, switchblades, etc.)
  • Heavy machinery (chainsaws, axes, scythes, picks, tools, etc.).
  • Prop weapons made with wood, metal, or other hard materials found to have a potentially hazardous sharp edge (daggers, swords, spears, shurikens, steaks, swords, fantastical replica blades, etc.) are not permitted and will be confiscated.
    Props made of these materials in these styles but with safe, blunt edges & finishes are allowed following an in-person inspection upon admission onto the Convention floor.

Furthermore, typically harmless items used in a harmful, threatening, imposing or potentially dangerous manner will be confiscated and those behaving in said manner are at risk of being expelled from the event, future Sci-Fi on the Rock Conventions and affiliated events.

Pyrotechnics are not permitted at the Convention and materials/ items facilitating such displays will be confiscated immediately.

THESE INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:

  • Explosives
  • Flamethrowers/ flame emitting machinery
  • Firecrackers
  • Flare guns caps
  • Sparklers
  • Fireworks
  • Flammable liquids

A person found using these or similar items, will have items confiscated and are at risk of being expelled from the event and future Sci-Fi on the Rock Conventions and affiliated events at the discretion of the committee.

Permitted items such as matches and personal lighters, etc. if found to be used in a dangerous or atypical manner can also be confiscated under similar terms.

INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO:

  • Mace
  • Pepper spray
  • Smoke bombs
  • Smoke flares
  • Liquid sprays and
  • Foam sprays harmful in nature

Furthermore, benign products found being used in a harmful, offensive, personally invasive or unwanted manner (silly string, perfumes, glitter, etc.) will also not be tolerated. Sci-Fi on the Rock endeavours to protect the public from dangerous/misused chemical products as well as providing a largely scent free/allergy-friendly environment.

Notes on what you *CAN* bring:

  • Prop firearms MUST have an orange/fluorescent tip for security reasons, this typically applies to prop weapons that could be mistaken visually for a real/live weapon.

  • Functional projectile weapons (including nerf-guns, crossbows, longbows, slingshots) must be rendered non-functional and should be a prop/toy in nature.
  • Bows, crossbows and other kinetic weapons must not be strung.

  • Nerf or foam enabled guns, crossbows, etc. weapons are permitted, but cannot be loaded with foam or other projectiles and must NOT be fired at the convention under any circumstances.

  • Bullets, arrows or other ammunition must be a prop in nature and feature foam/safe/blunt tips to be allowed on the convention floor.

  • Blunt items such as wooden props, staffs, large foam constructions, bats, heavy props adhering to the outlines listed above, etc. are permitted as they are being used safely.

    Staffs, canes, shepherd hooks, or any pole-type props must be carried in a vertical upright position whenever moving through any event space.

    However, if it’s found that an approved prop is being handled irresponsibly or obstructively to other attendees, these items will be confiscated and those in their possession are at risk for expulsion at the discretion of the committee pending the severity of the infraction and their co-operation.
    This also applies to large or expansive weapons and props such as staffs, swords, wings, etc. Serious complaints will result in the removal of these pieces and/or the cosplayer.

While the convention is certainly a mask-friendly space, please keep in mind while travelling to and from the convention as well as some public areas frequented by non-convention hotel guests, that full face masks disguising identity can sometimes be associated with criminal activity or make people uneasy. They can cause unrest, panic and suspicion out of context, please wear them responsibly. If hotel staff/local authorities should require you to remove your mask under reasonable circumstances, please we ask that you please cooperate.

We welcome the creativity and hard work that go into huge costumes! They bring excitement, inspiration and awe to the convention. Please keep the following in mind if you want to wear/bring a large costume to Sci-Fi on the Rock:

  • Pieces and attachments (swords, guns, wings, etc.) should not obstruct traffic, block doors, endanger other attendees, damage the hotel or interfere with staff. Large props should be kept close to your person and when being used for demonstrations or photos, should be taken out in an area safe to do so away from high-traffic areas.

  • Buddy SystemCostumes that are themselves large should be carefully maneuvered and if they hinder visibility, hearing or spatial awareness of the wearer should have an unhindered attendant available to keep both the cosplayers and onlookers safe.

  • Should you have a costume large enough that is immobile, please confirm with the committee where/if it will be set up before the convention as space is at a premium and set-up could be limited or not available.

Appropriate Costumes & Attire

We welcome and enjoy seeing amazing cosplay costumes and unique fashion throughout the convention. We are an all-ages, family-friendly event and must ensure that attendees are clothed appropriately for our audience. 

If your costume is deemed offensive by Sci-Fi on the Rock staff you may be expelled from the convention. This includes but is not limited to; nudity, vulgarity, and promotion of intolerant ideology. Depending on the severity of the offence you may be asked to leave until you are wearing a less offensive costume or you may be asked to leave the event and not return with no refund. If you have questions about the content of your costume or about this policy please contact info@scifiontherock.com.

DISCLAIMER

Sci-Fi on the Rock reserves the right to reject any props or costume pieces it deems unsafe to attendees. If you have any questions or concerns about any of the policies on listed on this page or any other questions about policies please contact us at info@scifiontherock.com

Any attendee found to be in willful violation of these policies may be asked to leave without refund and, in cases where it is deemed necessary, the authorities will be notified.

Pssst… did you read the Costume Contest Rules?