Cosplay
Get In The Game by Getting In Character
Cosplayers from all fandoms come to LI Retro to share their passion for their favorite game, anime, comic, film or art. All attendees are welcome to share their passion and dress up as the character or concept of their choice.
Cosplay at LIRetro 2023 will be celebrated by 3 Events, one on each day of the show. See below for details and pre-registration.
Cosplay Fashion Show - Friday, August 11th, 7:30pm
- Want to strut your stuff on the cosplay runway but don’t want to compete? Then join LIRetro’s 1st Annual Cosplay Fashion Show! All video game cosplayers are welcome, ages 13 and up. No competition, no judging, no awards — just the chance to show off your cosplay and start our retro weekend off right.
- Anyone can enter, 13+.
- Any cosplay allowed as long as it is from a video game series (can be bought, made, commissioned, altered, closet cosplay).
- Model’s name, character they’re cosplaying, and the series they’re from will be read as they walk onto the stage. They will do 2-3 poses for photo ops. While they are posing, why they love that character will be read before they walk off the stage. This will continue for each model.
- Models must apply prior to the con.
- No sign-ups allowed day of.
- No nudity allowed.
- No profanity or vulgar wording or imagery on your cosplay.
- No darkening of your skin.
- No shouting or yelling while on stage.
- Don’t make a mess on stage; no projectiles, glitter, confetti, etc.
- The Cradle of Aviation’s stage has stairs and a small stage space, so please keep that in mind when choosing what cosplay you will be entering with.
Adult Cosplay Contest - Saturday, August 12th, 3:30pm
1st Place $400 - 2nd Place $100 - 3rd Place $50
- You can enter the Cosplay Contest online or in person. The Adults Cosplay Contest is for contestants aged 15+. Anyone 14 and younger can enter the Kids Cosplay Contest.
- No nudity of any kind. Keep it family friendly.
- No profanity, political, or religious statements are allowed to be written on you or your clothes or props. Keep it family friendly.
- Any realistic weapon-type props must have clear indications that they are fake.
- No projectiles of any kind are allowed on stage. Whatever goes on with you must get off with you.
- Do not enter a cosplay that you’ve won an award with within the past year. Be fair to your fellow cosplayers.
- Do not alter your skin color a real-world culture that isn’t yours. Doing so will result in you being disqualified.
- Line up 45 minutes prior to the contest. The judges will go through the line to begin asking preliminary pre-judging questions prior to you taking the stage. They may ask you more questions once you are on stage.
- When you are on stage, keep your answers short and sweet. No profanity when you speak.
- Pre-judging starts 45 minutes before the contest.
- Once a contestant is finished with pre-judging, they are allowed to enter the auditorium (if there is no panel ongoing).
Kids Cosplay Contest - Sunday, August 13th, 12:30pm
Prizes TBD
- You can enter the Cosplay Contest in person; there is no online registration. Anyone 14 and younger can enter the Kids Cosplay Contest.
- No profanity, political, or religious statements are allowed. Keep it family friendly.
- Any realistic weapon-type props must have clear indications that they are fake.
- No projectiles of any kind are allowed on stage. Whatever goes on with you must get off with you.
- Do not enter a cosplay that you’ve won an award with within the past year. Be fair to your fellow cosplayers.
Your 2023 Cosplay Judges
Horror Queen Cosplay
Horror Queen Cosplay has been cosplaying since 2008 with a variety of anything from frilly ballgowns, to spooky nightmares! A proud mother of four Furbies, you can catch her playing a variety of games on Twitch (or crying over her sewing machine).
KBV Cosplay
•KBV Cosplay has been cosplaying since 2003, and has been a gamer for even longer. She has won multiple awards for her craftsmanship, including 2nd Place at LI Retro 2022. Her gaming interests range from quirky rhythm games to RPGs and more.
Raiments by Miranda
Miranda has been cosplaying for 10 years, and has been sewing and crafting for 15! She studied design at FIT, and is always looking to learn new techniques to enhance her cosplays. She loves connecting with other creators to showcase and admire talent and swap knowledge on creative problem solving.
Past Cosplay at LIRetro
1st Place: $400
2nd Place: $100
3rd Place: $50
- You can enter the Cosplay Contest online or in person. The Adults Cosplay Contest is for contestants aged 15+. Anyone 14 and younger can enter the Kids Cosplay Contest.
- No nudity of any kind. Keep it family friendly.
- No profanity, political, or religious statements are allowed. Keep it family friendly.
- Any realistic weapon-type props must have clear indications that they are fake.
- No projectiles of any kind are allowed on stage. Whatever goes on with you must get off with you.
- Do not enter a cosplay that you’ve won an award with within the past year. Be fair to your fellow cosplayers.
- Line up 30 minutes prior to the contest. The judges will go through the line to begin asking preliminary pre-judging questions prior to you taking the stage. They may ask you more questions once you are on stage.
Kids Cosplay Contest
Prizes: Coming Soon
Sunday, August 14th, 1PM
There is no Pre-Registration for the Kids Cosplay Contest. You will be able to sign up the day of the contest.
- You can enter the Cosplay Contest online or in person. The Adults Cosplay Contest is for contestants aged 15+. Anyone 14 and younger can enter the Kids Cosplay Contest.
- No nudity of any kind. Keep it family friendly.
- No profanity, political, or religious statements are allowed. Keep it family friendly.
- Any realistic weapon-type props must have clear indications that they are fake.
- No projectiles of any kind are allowed on stage. Whatever goes on with you must get off with you.
- Do not enter a cosplay that you’ve won an award with within the past year. Be fair to your fellow cosplayers.
- Line up 30 minutes prior to the contest. The judges will go through the line to begin asking preliminary pre-judging questions prior to you taking the stage. They may ask you more questions once you are on stage.
Meet Your Judges!
Sir Julius Cosplay
Photographer Credits -instagram.com/christopher_batiz_photography
