Pensacon is a fantastic pop culture convention. We love it. It is a small regional event. Yet, it functions as smooth as any huge convention in any major city (more about this in a later write-up). Their line-up is stellar. The schedule is non-stop. Today, we will look at cosplay contest at Pensacon 2019.

2019 Pensacon Cosplay Contest Time and Location

The cosplay at Pensacon is impressive. It ranges from professional, custom tailored outfits to the thrown together costume. There is nothing wrong with thrown together. It’s my everyday sartorial choice.

Of course, if you want to be competitive with your cosplay, then the 2019 Pensacon Cosplay Contest is for you. The gorgeous Saenger Theater in downtown Pensacola will hold the contest. Doors open at 7 and the contest runs from 8-10.

Levels

There will be four levels:

• Youth: For those 12 and under.
• Novice: If you have never won an award, but have made 65% of your costume yourself, then this is the level for you.
• Journeyman: If you have won 3 or less Journeyman or Novice awards you qualify for this. Again, 65% of your costume needs to self-crafted.
• Master: The contest has to have won 3 or more awards at any costume contest. Also, 80% has to be hand-made.

Exhibitors are non-competing contestants who would fit in the Journeyman or Master class. This category includes all the last year’s contest.

Rules (taken from the Pensacon website sprinkled with some of my humor):

1. You have to be a paying Pensacon attendee. No sneaking in.
2. Groups are allowed, but the judges will judge only one member. The audience will judge the rest.
3. Again, prize winners from 2018 are not eligible. This, of course, means that the contest is wide open. This is a great rule. No one like the New England Patriots anymore (except the Longbox guys).
4. If you don’t meet the category requirements, your score might be affected. We will respect your bold decision to be different.
5. Most of your costume needs to be handmade (see above). Some things may be modified from their original purpose and still qualify. No joke, here. I’m always in awe of anyone that can make 10% of their costume.
6. You can have/hire a model for your outfit. You have to be present for the contest to defend your gear if needed. Again no joke here. If you love designing for other people, do so.
7. One contestant, one costume. This is especially true if you have a model wearing your outfit.
8. No props that shot objects, glitter, confetti, smoke, etc. are not allowed. It’s cool the first time, but two hours into the contest you want to tear your eyes out.
9. Pensacon has a weapons policy for cosplay. It applies to the competition.
10. For the love of god, no skits. They make the contest go long.
11. If it’s not appropriate for second graders to see, don’t enter it. This is especially true for nudity. Be kind and think of the little ones who you are making eyes grow with wonder with your creativity.
12. Yes, your significant other is significant. But the deadline for the cosplay contest is Valentines Day!
13. The all-powerful judges can move you to a different category based on their opinion of the craftsmanship level of your work.
14. 14. BE KIND.

All this information and the application for the 2019 Pensacon Cosplay Contest can be found here.

Get Involved

Now, what if you don’t want to dress up? Attend the contest. It’s always a fantastic time. The amount of work that goes into this deserves to be appreciated. Also, because of the Bay Center’s design, Pensacon is the best convention to watch cosplay. You can sit in the stands and just cosplay watch. So if the contest is too late for you (we will have a one year and one day old the day of the competition, so that is late for us), you can always do this.

Now, what if you do want to dress up but don’t want to do the contest? Then dress up! We don’t care if it’s store bought or 100% handmade, be who you want to be at the con. Of course, be kind. If it is questionable, don’t wear it.

But if you do dress up, I hope we can get a picture of you and feature it on this website!

What is your favorite go-to cosplay? Let’s discuss it in the comments.

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