WELCOME TO THE THUNDERCON 2023 COSPLAY CONTEST!
Wear what moves you, what you identify with, or what you think is cool. Imagine, transcend and have fun because we should be able to see ourselves in others, and that is well, just plain cool.
As always ThunderCon encourages cosplay and costumes and the odd outfit too. We believe that Cosplay is not Consent, so be respectful when approaching others, ask if its ok to take pictures or videos, and no touching without consent. Cosplay reflects the mindfulness and strength that losing yourself in another character can provide, be supportive and kind and have fun!
Teens and Adults have an opportunity to show us where their journey with Cosplay has taken them. There will be varying levels of competition to enter. You may have modified an old Hallowe'en favourite, sewn every stitch by hand or somewhere in between. Bought that plastic sword from #Mart or 3D printed full plate armor. However you came to your 99% accurate or completely unique interpretation of a character we would like to see it. Embody your character with a lil' swagger and confidence and you may just walk away with some fabulous prizes courtesy of Marnics Mobile and ThunderCon! Hosted by judges Azariah Cosplay and RicePosion Cosplay with special Cosplay guest, Undeadly Designs! Show us what you got Thunder Bay!!
CATEGORIES
• Adult/Teen Purchased or Commissioned:
For cosplayers who have purchased their cosplay but are here to show off their wig styling, prop making, or how they bring the character to life
• Teen Modified:
For cosplayers 13-17 who have put in 50% of the work and modified a cosplay
• Teen Handmade:
For cosplayers 13-17 who have made 100% of their cosplay
Adult Modified:
• For cosplayers over 18 who have put in 50% of the work and modified a cosplay
• Adult Handmade:
For cosplayers over 18 who have made 100% of their cosplay
Wear what moves you, what you identify with, or what you think is cool. Imagine, transcend and have fun because we should be able to see ourselves in others, and that is well, just plain cool.
As always ThunderCon encourages cosplay and costumes and the odd outfit too. We believe that Cosplay is not Consent, so be respectful when approaching others, ask if its ok to take pictures or videos, and no touching without consent. Cosplay reflects the mindfulness and strength that losing yourself in another character can provide, be supportive and kind and have fun!
Teens and Adults have an opportunity to show us where their journey with Cosplay has taken them. There will be varying levels of competition to enter. You may have modified an old Hallowe'en favourite, sewn every stitch by hand or somewhere in between. Bought that plastic sword from #Mart or 3D printed full plate armor. However you came to your 99% accurate or completely unique interpretation of a character we would like to see it. Embody your character with a lil' swagger and confidence and you may just walk away with some fabulous prizes courtesy of Marnics Mobile and ThunderCon! Hosted by judges Azariah Cosplay and RicePosion Cosplay with special Cosplay guest, Undeadly Designs! Show us what you got Thunder Bay!!
CATEGORIES
• Adult/Teen Purchased or Commissioned:
For cosplayers who have purchased their cosplay but are here to show off their wig styling, prop making, or how they bring the character to life
• Teen Modified:
For cosplayers 13-17 who have put in 50% of the work and modified a cosplay
• Teen Handmade:
For cosplayers 13-17 who have made 100% of their cosplay
Adult Modified:
• For cosplayers over 18 who have put in 50% of the work and modified a cosplay
• Adult Handmade:
For cosplayers over 18 who have made 100% of their cosplay
Children's Cosplay Parade
Children 12 and under will have their own separate stage to strut their stuff for fun prizes from Pizza Hut and ThunderCon! The KidZone Cosplay Parade presented by Pizza Hut will be a non competitive showcase for young cosplayers. This year, there are 2 parades so be sure to ready those times to gather with other children on stage in the Promenade. Prizes will be awarded!
Saturday Sept 9, 4:00pm, Sunday Sept 10, 11:00am
Your Judges!
RicePoison
Born and raised in Thunder Bay, RicePoison has been active in the cosplay community for over 10 years. Rice started curating their cosplays in late 2012 with thrift shop finds and a limited budget. Over the last four years, they have amassed over 250K followers on their TikTok for their captivation storylines in which they bring a cast of colorful characters to life. RicePoison likes to create unique interpretations to the series they cosplay from, such as regency-era Pokémon, cyberpunk Legend of Zelda, and as an Official Hoyoverse Creator, streetwear Genshin Impact. They recently won best in category for their 70 hour Regency Sylveon cosplay at Ai-Kon 2023. Rice has had their unique creations featured twice in CosplayDoubleDouble, and Creative Cosplays Magazine. As a strong advocate for the Everyone can Cosplay movement, Rice likes hyping cosplayers up for their creativity and always looks forward to seeing what others can create. They often travel with their group, Close Enough Cosplays, to conventions with one or two new cosplays to share with the world.
Born and raised in Thunder Bay, RicePoison has been active in the cosplay community for over 10 years. Rice started curating their cosplays in late 2012 with thrift shop finds and a limited budget. Over the last four years, they have amassed over 250K followers on their TikTok for their captivation storylines in which they bring a cast of colorful characters to life. RicePoison likes to create unique interpretations to the series they cosplay from, such as regency-era Pokémon, cyberpunk Legend of Zelda, and as an Official Hoyoverse Creator, streetwear Genshin Impact. They recently won best in category for their 70 hour Regency Sylveon cosplay at Ai-Kon 2023. Rice has had their unique creations featured twice in CosplayDoubleDouble, and Creative Cosplays Magazine. As a strong advocate for the Everyone can Cosplay movement, Rice likes hyping cosplayers up for their creativity and always looks forward to seeing what others can create. They often travel with their group, Close Enough Cosplays, to conventions with one or two new cosplays to share with the world.
Azariah
Born and raised in Thunder Bay, Kayla Charban started her career as Azariah Cosplay in the summer of 2015 after spending almost a whole year hand sewing a set of nightingale armour from Skyrim. Over the years Azariah would learn various techniques such as leather working, sewing, worbla, foam and clay sculpting, pattern making, painting, and much more to create a variety of cosplays and original characters. In 2016 Azariah had the opportunity to guest and judge at her first conventions and, due to the popularity of her Super Sonico cosplay, she became the first cover model for Curvy Curvy Cosplayers, a body positive cosplay feature page. Azariah would continue to travel across North America judging various cosplay contests until the fall of 2018 with the sudden passing of her partner. Cosplay became a way for Azariah to express herself as she continued to push forward. Recently Azariah has started to share her love of videogames on Twitch under the username KayCharChar and she uses her platform to raise awareness about mental health issues, especially in Northern Ontario.
Born and raised in Thunder Bay, Kayla Charban started her career as Azariah Cosplay in the summer of 2015 after spending almost a whole year hand sewing a set of nightingale armour from Skyrim. Over the years Azariah would learn various techniques such as leather working, sewing, worbla, foam and clay sculpting, pattern making, painting, and much more to create a variety of cosplays and original characters. In 2016 Azariah had the opportunity to guest and judge at her first conventions and, due to the popularity of her Super Sonico cosplay, she became the first cover model for Curvy Curvy Cosplayers, a body positive cosplay feature page. Azariah would continue to travel across North America judging various cosplay contests until the fall of 2018 with the sudden passing of her partner. Cosplay became a way for Azariah to express herself as she continued to push forward. Recently Azariah has started to share her love of videogames on Twitch under the username KayCharChar and she uses her platform to raise awareness about mental health issues, especially in Northern Ontario.
Grey Dickson
A cosplayer since he was 4, Grey Dickson has worked in foam, fabric, makeup and 3D printing to further his hobby. He has no bias in terms of cosplay - whether handmade, modified or purchased, if it feels like you belong in the suit, then you belong in the suit. He’s dabbled in acting and voice work, and is now a certified fitness trainer and chef! He’s looking forward to joining hometown friends at this year’s ThunderCon!
A cosplayer since he was 4, Grey Dickson has worked in foam, fabric, makeup and 3D printing to further his hobby. He has no bias in terms of cosplay - whether handmade, modified or purchased, if it feels like you belong in the suit, then you belong in the suit. He’s dabbled in acting and voice work, and is now a certified fitness trainer and chef! He’s looking forward to joining hometown friends at this year’s ThunderCon!