Prepare to step into the shoes of your favorite characters and showcase your craftsmanship at our Cosplay Showcase and Contest! Express your creativity, strut your stuff on stage, and compete in various categories. From meticulously crafted costumes to spot-on character portrayals, this event is a celebration of the passion and dedication of cosplayers. Join the contest for a chance to win prizes and earn recognition among your peers.
(Security Policies, Etiquette, and Contest Rules below)

Security Policies (Safety, Props & Costumes)

Range FanCon is dedicated to the safety and security of ALL attendees, guests, staff, volunteers, and exhibitors participating in the event. The policies and procedures on this page apply to every “participant” in any Range FanCon event in any manner whatsoever, including, but not limited to, all exhibitors, attendees, speakers, guests, professionals, media, staff members, workers, contractors, vendors, security, or anyone else who participates in the event in any way. 

All attendees must adhere to State & Federal Laws at all times during Range FanCon. In addition to the policies listed below, all participants must abide by the Iron Trail Motors Event Center Rules and Regulations, as host of the event. If it is illegal outside of the convention, it is illegal inside the convention.

Please read this entire policy before attending Range FanCon. Failure to follow this policy may result in your removal from the convention without refund.

Props Policy:

All participants bringing props with them MUST go through our Props Security station before entering the event. Leave appropriate time to comply with entry requirements and remain patient and courteous while undertaking security checks.

All Bags are subject to Search before entering the event.

EVERY prop will be handled on a case-by-case basis. You may be asked to take further measures to make the prop safe before it will be given approval. Be prepared for this contingency.

All props must be checked at the Prop Check Table, where security will inspect the prop and issue a tag to be placed in a visible area on the prop.

Approved prop tags must be visible on your prop at all times. Removing the prop tag is a violation of the Prop Policy and will result in immediate expulsion from Range FanCon. Any approved prop may be revoked at any time at the discretion of Range FanCon staff or security, for reasons including, but not limited to, the item being utilized or brandished in an inappropriate fashion or if complaints are received regarding its improper display.

Range FanCon reserves the right to refuse entry of any prop it deems unfit for any reason. Any misuse of a prop (horseplay, dueling, fighting, running/swinging, firing, etc.) is grounds for removal and or ejection from convention premises without recourse.

Dull metal-bladed replica props must be peace bonded, checked, and tagged at the prop check table. Security will deny entry to anyone without a properly tagged prop.

Bows and crossbows will only be permitted if they’re absolutely prop in nature – no tension on the string beyond what it takes to keep it straight, and arrows should not have any form of tip. You are NOT permitted to bring arrows with metal tips into the event under ANY circumstances.

No items can have exposed sharp points, sharp edges, excessive weight or any other features that could be deemed dangerous to others. If items of this nature are being sold and bought at a vendor stand, items must be peace bonded and tagged by security in advance of event open hours.

Items NOT allowed at Range FanCon:

• Guns
• Projectiles
• Sharpened metal blades
• Chemicals
• Glass items
• Items that cause excessive noise levels
• Use of roller blades, skateboards, hoverboards and other wheeled items 

Costume Policy:

Range FanCon reserves the right to deem a costume as unacceptable and request the wearer make modifications as necessary, change out of the costume entirely into more appropriate clothing, or require you to leave the convention.

If your costume hinders your vision or movement in any way, you should have a friend or “handler” with you at all times who can move and see freely. Leashes are permitted, but if you are wearing the collar you must be holding the handle. Leashes should not be extended between two or more people, as this causes an issue for the other patrons.

Masks are allowed, however security and staff may ask you to remove your mask at any time, for any reason for identification purposes.

Questionable Material:

Some costumes from anime, comic books, sci-fi, video games, and other sources may contain questionable material. We do not allow the use of hate symbols on costumes. You may wear a costume that is an accurate representation of an existing character in fandom, but shock costumes, or costumes which have the sole purpose of offending and disrespecting other individuals, cultures, or religions in any way, will not be tolerated. We ask that you be respectful of other attendees.

The “Proximity Rule”:
Any part of your costume that extends more than four inches (4”) off of your body is officially considered a “prop” (wings, spikes, helmets, etc.) and should adhere to the Props and Costume sections of this policy.

Signs & Banners:

All signs and banners must follow all of the rules of both costumes and props, and are also subject to the general rating of the convention (PG-13) and all other convention policies.

UNIFORM COSTUMES:
Costumes that may be confused with LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OR OTHER EMERGENCY RESPONSE PERSONNEL UNIFORMS are not permitted. Range FanCon has the absolute right and sole discretion to determine whether a uniform costume is permitted or too close to a real world uniform and to ask an attendee who is wearing a costume that is too close to a real world uniform to adjust it or remove it.

In Summary:

PLEASE NOTE that if you violate any of the above rules you WILL be removed from the convention. If you are asked to leave by a member of Range FanCon security or staff, you are required to comply with their requests or risk intervention by law enforcement. These decisions are based on the discretion of the security or staff member you are dealing with at that exact moment.

Range FanCon reserves the right to amend or change these rules at any time for any reason to provide for the safety, security and general well being of attendees and the general public.

Cosplay Etiquette & Rules of Engagement

Code of Conduct

• All attendees are expected to conduct themselves in a manner which is respectful of other attendees at all times.
• You may not engage in any kind of behavior that could be deemed harassing, bullying, or stalking in any way.
• While this is a very friendly environment with a lot of hugging and touching,100% of that is expected to be with consent.
• Do not touch anyone’s hair, body, costume, prop, or anything else without permission.
• Do not use hateful speech.
• Do not follow anyone without their permission.
• No profanity displayed on the clothing or costume. Remember there are children about.
• Full body paint is not considered a cosplay and may result in being asked to change or being expelled from the event.

Props

Keep weapons and props properly enclosed for transportation. Local law enforcement will not know they are a prop and for your own safety you should refrain from putting yourself in situations that require you to explain your prop to law enforcement.

Don’t carry black prop guns beyond the event grounds. You don’t want confusion with a run in with the police.

All weapons must be peace bound and/or inoperable in the case of firearm type props.

For a comprehensive list of all prop rules and regulations please see the Security Policies (Props, Weapons, Costume) document.

Consent To Film/Photograph

Range FanCon attendees may be photographed or filmed at any time at the convention. By purchasing admission to the event, all attendees consent to being recorded (by audio, visual and/or other means) for exhibition and exploitation by any means in all media now known or hereafter devised worldwide in perpetuity. In other words, by attending Range FanCon, you give your consent to be photographed and appear on camera for Range FanCon materials.

Non-Range Fancon Film/Photography

If you are not a Range FanCon authorized photographer or videographer, you must receive permission from any person you wish to film or photograph. Please treat all attendees, cosplayers, and guests with respect.

Safety First

Security personnel are on site to assist anyone that feels uncomfortable at the event, and you may also ask for assistance at our info desk at pre-registration or any staff member.

If Security, Police, or Range FanCon Staff consider anyone’s behavior to be in violation of the code of conduct policies, you may be ejected from the event and have your wristband or badge removed without refund or recourse of any kind.

Please be respectful of others at all times so that we can all have an outstanding event.

Cosplay Rules

• You must have a valid Range FanCon (RFC) badge to participate. 
• If you are under the age of 18, you must have your parent or guardian’s permission to enter and you must also be accompanied by your parent or guardian during the contest.
• No entries for contestants under the age of 13 will be accepted.
• When you sign up for this contest you agree to read and abide by all rules as posted. Failure to abide by these rules may result in disqualification.
• Range FanCon reserves the right to refuse entry or participation to anyone for any reason.
• The Main Cosplay Contest is rated PG-13. Severely offensive language and overt sexual humor is allowed. Judgment on the appropriateness of material is left to the discretion of our staff.
• Body paint alone is not considered part of a cosplay and may result in a request to change outfits, or removal from the event.

Hand-Made / Crafted Cosplay Entries

• 75% of the cosplay must be constructed or altered by the entrant. If you are modeling a cosplay that someone else made, they MUST be with you at pre-judging for you to be eligible for an award.
• Purchased or commissioned cosplays are NOT eligible for any awards and cannot be entered into the contest except as part of a skit. 
• Be respectful to other cosplay entrants and the judges. Unruly or disruptive behavior during pre-judging, backstage, or during the contest is not permitted and entrants associated with this behavior may be disqualified or removed from the event.
• Judges are not permitted to discuss the judging process or the results. Judges are immune to Jedi mind tricks, telepathic manipulation, and we have already given them cookies so they can’t be bribed.
• Entrants should be able to enter and exit the stage quickly on their own. If your costume/prop is too big for you to get on and off the stage by yourself easily, you may bring a handler to assist you. Our cosplay staff will not be able to provide a handler for you.
• Entrants with disabilities are welcome to provide their own handler or request handler assistance from our cosplay staff for any stage of the cosplay contest process. If you think you may need assistance, we encourage you to contact us in advance or request assistance during the pre-judging process.
• Entrants wishing to compete with costumes that have previously won an RFC costume competition must declare this upon registration. At least 50% of the costume must be altered to be accepted as an entry for this competition. Failure to inform the judges and staff of this may result in disqualification, and being banned from future competitions.
• Group entries of up to 4 people are allowed. Entrants may not participate in multiple groups. 
• Costumes entered must be presented with reference images and recreate characters from anime, manga, animation, etc. At least one reference image must be in color. Reference images must be provided during pre-judging and may be provided on any viable medium including, but not limited to, paper, phone, tablet, etc.
• Original characters will not be permitted; however, art book variations and reinterpretations of existing characters may be allowed with an accompanying reference.
• Progress portfolios are HIGHLY encouraged, but not necessary, as they include photo documentation of your work from start to finish.
• Professional cosplayers ARE WELCOME to enter. A professional cosplayer is anyone who makes a significant portion of their income from costume design, construction or sales or feels they are a master of their craft. If you are a pro, you MUST disclose this before judging begins.

Purchased / Closet Cosplay Entries

• 25% of the cosplay must be constructed or altered by the entrant, purchased or commissioned cosplays are eligible for awards. 
• If you are modeling a cosplay that was commissioned or purchased, you MUST credit the creator(s) to be eligible for an award.
• Be respectful to other cosplay entrants and the judges. Unruly or disruptive behavior during pre-judging, backstage, or during the contest is not permitted and entrants associated with this behavior may be disqualified or removed from the event.
• Judges are not permitted to discuss the judging process or the results. Judges are immune to Jedi mind tricks, telepathic manipulation, and we have already given them cookies so they can’t be bribed.
• Entrants should be able to enter and exit the stage quickly on their own. If your costume/prop is too big for you to get on and off the stage by yourself easily, you may bring a handler to assist you. Our cosplay staff will not be able to provide a handler for you.
• Entrants with disabilities are welcome to provide their own handler or request handler assistance from our cosplay staff for any stage of the cosplay contest process. If you think you may need assistance, we encourage you to contact us in advance or request assistance during the pre-judging process.
• Entrants wishing to compete with costumes that have previously won an RFC costume competition must declare this upon registration. At least 50% of the costume must be altered to be accepted as an entry for this competition. Failure to inform the judges and staff of this may result in disqualification, and being banned from future competitions.
• Group entries of up to 4 people are allowed. Entrants may not participate in multiple groups. 
• Costumes entered must be presented with reference images and recreate characters from anime, manga, animation, etc. At least one reference image must be in color. Reference images must be provided during pre-judging and may be provided on any viable medium including, but not limited to, paper, phone, tablet, etc.
• Original characters will not be permitted; however, art book variations and reinterpretations of existing characters may be allowed with an accompanying reference.

Walk on/Stage rules:

• Performances should be about 60 seconds, not exceeding 90. There will be a 30-45 second time allotment for setting up and breaking down any props if necessary.  
• Contestants must arrive in costumes and are responsible for their own belongings. We do not have a locker area.  
• Entrants must provide a written description that the emcee will read during their appearance on stage. This may describe the details of the costume or provide a story about the character portrayed. You may offer details about the construction process, materials, number of work hours, or anything that might impress the judges and fans. This description is limited to approximately 100 words.
• Contestants will only be allowed to enter once as either a solo or group walk on.
• During the contest enter and exit the stage at the designated points only. There will be a wheelchair-accessible ramp for contestants. Costumes must be handled by the contestant or by handler(s) the contestant brings to help. Handlers are required to be registered attendees of the convention, and RFC can not provide on-stage assistants.
• Contestants are not allowed to throw anything off the stage (including themselves), nor use projectiles or use anything on stage that will leave a mess. This includes (but is not limited to) liquids, glitter, and confetti. If you have a question about something you want to do, feel free to send an email with “Costume Contestant Question” as the subject to Security@RangeFanCon.com. All participants are encouraged to keep at least one foot on the stage at all times.
• No pyrotechnics, fire, explosive devices, live animals, or similar special effects can be used during the competition; this includes smoke/smog machines and flash paper/powder. All prop weapons must conform to the RFC prop policies, including being checked.
• There are no electrical outlets onstage so all electronics must be self-contained

Judging

For judging there will be three areas that we’ll be looking at for your score, these aggregated scores will become your final score.

1. Craftsmanship: How well you represent your character to the source material. Allowances will be made for designs such as gender swaps or alternate universe variants. Accuracy of the cosplay design such as patterns matching on complex designs or representation of logos/emblems. As well as technique, the skills used to put the costume together. This will be based per cosplay, quality is more important than quantity in this regard. 
2. Presentation: How well you represent your character during the walk on. This can include how props are used, how you move and/or pose, and how you engage the audience.
3. Audience reaction: Simply put, how well the crowd receives your cosplay and walk-on. While there are always crowd favorites based on what is popular currently, the reaction of the audience will be taken into consideration on an individual basis.