Cosplay is an amalgamation of the words "costume" and "play." In cosplay, participants dress up as characters from films, books and comics using costumes and accessories. There is also an element of role play among "cosplayers;" the objective in cosplay is to replicate the character rather than just dressing in costume. The number of people involved with cosplay as a hobby rapidly expanded, and it has become a significant aspect of popular culture, especially in Asia, where the influence of cosplay has reached into Japanese street fashion. Attention to detail is essential to cosplay, as is the celebration of creativity.
Saturday, noon and 5 p.m.
Sunday, 5:30 p.m.
Monday, 10:30 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Shoenberg Theater
We welcome all cosplayers to the Festival, but please leave your weapons at home — even if they are harmless props — and make sure that your costumes are family appropriate.