Cosplay FAQ’s
What is Cosplay?
Cosplay is the intersection of art and character performance where you bring your favorite characters to life. Whether you are building full armored suits with wings, or throwing on a leather jacket and wig, cosplay can be as simple or as complex as you want it to be.
What are the cosplay opportunities at Once Upon a Con?
Live your best fantasy life and feel free to cosplay all weekend long as characters from your favorite fantasy books, an OC from a DnD campaign, general fantasy aesthetic, or choose to be in a casual cosplay look, if that’s what makes you most comfortable! In addition to simply walking around the convention floor, there will be plenty of opportunities to formally show off your cosplay, whether it’s during the War Room, Fandom Meetups, the Starfall Masquerade, or entering the nation’s first exclusively literary Cosplay Competition! We will also have an Iron Cosplay competition available to enter – check out more details below.
Cosplay Etiquette
Being respectful toward cosplayers is key. “Cosplay is not consent” is a popular phrase in the community, meaning that attending an event or wearing a certain outfit does not mean people can act however they want toward cosplayers.
What are the rules regarding weapons?
There will be a weapons check table by registration to get all props cleared. General rules are: No live steel and no props or weapons large enough to disrupt the flow of traffic.
Non-Permitted Weapons
NO METAL WEAPONS will be permitted on the premises of the Lancaster Marriott Convention Center, without exception. This is defined as:
- Swords, spears, bayonets, and knives (regardless of whether they are sheathed)
Star knives and shuriken - Metal gun/firearm props (regardless of functionality)
- Other components (metal or non-metal) of costumes or props which may be sharp, capable of taking an edge, or are otherwise potentially a safety risk, are subject to approval by OUaC Safety Staff and leadership
The ONLY exception to this rule is that metal armor (chain, scale, plate) is permitted, pending it contains no sharp edges. All armor is subject to inspection at con to ensure it is not sharp or otherwise poses a safety risk/hazard.
What is the Iron Cosplay Competiton?
Think you have what it takes to seize the Iron Cosplay Crown? Put your skills to the test in this one hour timed competition in front of a live audience where you will have a surprise box of supplies and a random fantasy subject to guide you.