COSTUME AND PROPS POLICY

Please reference our costume and props policy prior to attending…

For the safety of all attendees no props that could be used as a weapon or simulated firearms of any kind are allowed.

General Rooms

All events are all ages and family-friendly unless otherwise indicated. Costumes, cosplay, and “acting the part” are always encouraged but please be aware of the people around you, especially when children are present.

Inappropriate costumes or actions may result in a request from our staff to change aspects of your costume. Failure to do so may result in revocation of your credentials and removal from the event.

Shoes are required to be worn while in convention space. You may remove your shoes for photos if desired, but they must be replaced directly after the photo is taken.

Roller Skates/Blades or other wheeled items such as skateboards and hoverboards may not be worn/used in convention space.

Depictions of hate symbols are not allowed and you will be asked to remove it.

If your costume has pieces such as wings, spikes, armor, etc. that extend well beyond your person, or you are carrying a large prop, please be aware of your surroundings and of people around you. You may be asked to change your costume or remove your prop from the venues if it is found to be unwieldy, disruptive, or dangerous.

Please do not block doorways, walkways, or exits with your costume, props, or costume pieces.

Helmets, Masks and Face Paint

If your costume includes any item that covers or partially covers the face, especially if it is not easily removed, upon request, you may be asked for ID and/or additional information by security. Please be sure to keep your ID on you.

Helmets, masks, and hoods should not severely limit or impair the wearer’s ability to see. If your costume includes an eyeless hood or other face covering, considering bringing a friend to act as your “handler” and guide you through crowded spaces.

Peace Bonding

All prop weapons that security determine to appear dangerous, on a case-by-case basis, must be peace bonded before being allowed into venues. There will be a peace bonding station located near the each entrance area as well as staff performing “mobile peace bonding” throughout the street.  Peace Bonding is a method of securing weapon props to keep them safe and also a visual guide that an item has been inspected.  It is also an agreement by the attendee to act responsibly with that prop.

Permitted Props

All props must be fake or homemade and are only permitted if they are in no way dangerous to attendees and are easily identifiable as props.

 

Lightsabers, wands, and sonic screwdrivers are a-okay!

Bows that are completely inoperable; un-strung is best, but loosely strung is okay too.

Non-removable arrows in a quiver AND/OR arrows with no tip.

Foam, plastic, fiberglass or resin shields with no sharp edge

Lightweight plastic bats. Any other accessories to the bat (such as those on Negan’s Lucille or the Demogorgon Killer) should also be made of foam or other lightweight material and incapable of harming others. No metal or wood.

Armor made of plastic, fiberglass or resin.

Any other props & armor (except for anything resembling any sort of real or replica firearm) made of Plastic, Thermoplastic (Worbla), Urethane Resin, Cardboard, Foam, Foam Rubber, or other lightweight material.

Behavior with Prop Weapons

Misuse of any prop weapon, such as swinging it in a public area, causing hazards or menacing others, even in jest, will result in the weapon or prop being deemed unsafe and the weapon will be removed and revoked

Prohibited Props, Weapons and Costumes

Real and replica firearms of any kind, regardless of how realistic or unrealistic it looks, or material made of. This includes any weapon resembling a firearm such as Star Wars blasters, Nerf guns, Toy guns, Overwatch firearms, etc.

Tasers

Glass props

Stone props

Slingshots

Brass knuckles

Real, replica, or simulated explosives, ammunition, chemical weapons of any kind, including but not limited to:

Simulated bomb vests

Cartoon bombs

Bullets

Hand grenades

Claymore Mines

Firecrackers

Pepper Spray

Mace

Powder caps

Metal or wood swords and other sharp-edged weapons

Please note: Swords, axes, Wolverine Claws, etc may be permitted as long as they are made out of one of the lightweight approved materials listed in the approved section with NO sharp edges.

Excessively noisy props including but not limited to:

Airhorns

Bullhorns

Whistles

Security Checkpoint

Enhanced security procedures will be in effect at all entrance points, including but not limited to metal detection, bag checks, and police presence.

If you are wearing a costume, please allow additional time to get through the security checkpoint.

All props must be inspected at the Peace Bonding Checkpoint, located prior to the security entrance.

Any prop that is deemed unacceptable will not be permitted past security. If you feel your prop does not fit within our prop policy, we recommend leaving it at home.

Props will be inspected and tagged by Law Enforcement and/or security. Anyone with an untagged prop will be escorted to the Peace Bonding Checkpoint. Props will not be allowed into the event without a tag.

Failure to comply with costume rules, checkpoint procedures, or requests from staff, security personnel, or local police officials will result in revocation of your credentials and removal from the event.

The organizers, the facility, and its contractors are not responsible for loss, damage, or theft of any private property including costumes, props, masks, or helmets. If you do not want to have your costume props inspected or tagged, or if you are not willing to comply with these policies, please leave them at home. All costumes and props must be inspected at Peace Bonding Checkpoint.