WE WELCOME ANYONE IN COSTUME & ARE EXCITED TO HOST A COSPLAY COSTUME CONTEST

 

...but we do require the following!

 

COSTUME/COSPLAY COSTUME RULES & POLICIES

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We are a family-friendly event; assume that young children will be in attendance and seeing your costume. As such, please ensure that you are following these rules and guidelines for any costume wear:

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• No nudity of any kind, real or simulated.

• Body painting intended to replace clothing is not allowed.

• No wardrobe malfunctions, real or 'accidental'; wear undergarments that will maintain clothing as required in a family-friendly event should you have concerns with the integrity of your costume construction.

• Protective footwear is recommended, and all health and safety guidelines of the event facilities must be adhered to.

• Impersonation or resemblance to actual emergency service personnel or first responders is prohibited.

• Wheeled shoes, scooters, rollerblades, skateboards, etc., are not allowed into the event.

• Hate symbols - even "historical" - are prohibited, and attempting to show anything considered as a hate symbol by security or event staff will result in being banned from the conference for the duration of the event. No refunds will be offered.

• Requests for or forced acts of physical contact in any way should be reported to security and event staff immediately. This includes touching, hugging, kissing, taking photos, being in close and unwanted proximity, or anything that could be considered as being uncomfortable by either party. Uninvited contact without consent will result in being banned from the conference for the duration of the event. No refunds will be offered.

• Service animals are permitted by law as determined by the event center. No other animals will be allowed into the event as determined by the event center.

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COSPLAY COSTUME WEAPONS ("PROPS") RULES & POLICIES

 

No functional weapons or props are allowed at Island FanCon. Simulated or costume weapons ("props") are allowed as a part of your costume, subject to approval by security or event staff, with the following taken into consideration:

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• ALL props must be inspected at the Props Check area and will receive a security tag once approved. Once your prop has been inspected, do not remove the tag for any reason. Costume props that do not pass security inspection will not be permitted in the convention center, and untagged props on the floor will be removed and surrendered to security or event staff immediately. We are not responsible for the storage or safety of any items that have been confiscated.

• All costume props must conform to provincial and federal law.

• All props must be easily distinguishable from real weapons and must be constructed from safe, lightweight material. Approved materials are rubber, plastic, foam, light woods, cardboard and paper-mâché.

• If your prop resembles a firearm in any way, it must have an orange cap or distinguishable orange marker on the barrel.

• Plastic airsoft guns are permitted but must not be accompanied by ammunition or projectiles of any kind. Airsoft guns must be rendered completely inoperable beforehand, including the removal of any batteries, and must have the chamber filled with wax or similar material, as well as accompaniment by an orange cap or distinguishable orange marker on the barrel.

• BB guns, paintball guns, dart guns, silly string, blowguns, water guns, etc. and their accompanying ammunition will NOT be permitted.

• Nerf guns are permitted, but ammunition of any kind (foam or otherwise) is prohibited. Nerf guns must pass Props Check and will have triggers zip-tied to prevent guns from firing.

• Metal props of any kind are forbidden, including swords, knives, blades, hammers, scissors, screwdrivers, saws, chains, nun-chucks, brass knuckles, shields, X-Men-style claws, handcuffs or anything that could be considered as a safety hazard by security or event staff. Replicas made out of approved weapons material may be admitted.

• Small, lightweight, metal objects like Sonic Screwdrivers, Lightsaber handles, and umbrellas and wooden wands are allowed, but must not be used as functional weapons. These items will all be subject to Props Check.

• Costume bows are allowed, providing that they are unstrung or loosely strung so that they are not within working order. Prop arrows are permitted as long as they cannot be used as a projectile in any way, are not sharp, do not have tips, and are made out of the approved weapons materials. 

• No wooden or aluminum/metal bats are permitted. This includes baseball bats, cricket bats, clubs, paddles, golf clubs and similar objects. Bats made from approved weapons materials may be permitted.

• Staffs (staves) may be permitted, as long as they are intended to be used as a standing or walking prop only. They may not have sharp edges or tips and must be lightweight, made out of an approved prop weapons material.

• Items such as bullwhips, ropes and lassos may be permitted but must remain rolled and secured at all times. These items will be subject to a weapons check.

• Incendiary or flammable weapons are prohibited, including any items that are capable of igniting sparks or flames, burning, exploding or combusting.

• If you do not want to have your props inspected and tagged, or if you are unwilling to comply with these policies, please leave them at home! Failure to willingly comply with Island FanCon's rules and props policy may result in forced surrender and confiscation of the prop, and you may be asked to leave the conference without a refund.

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WE ARE A FAMILY-FRIENDLY EVENT!

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• Please do not display your weapons or props in a threatening or menacing manner. It is okay to pose for a photo with your prop displayed, but props should not be brandished or used while on the conference floor. 

• Keep prop weapons in convention areas. If you leave the premises or go out into public for any reason, please put away any and all prop weaponry immediately. This is for your safety and the safety of the public.

• Any real weapons purchased or won at GrandeCon that would normally be prohibited by the weapons policy (knives, swords, etc.), must remain in their original packaging and not be opened or removed from the packaging. If they meet the criteria for use on the floor, they must be security tagged by security, as per the props weapons policy.

• Any props intended for carrying (pouches, backpacks, bags, etc.) are subject to search at any time by security or event staff.