Cosplay
Cosplay Event Info Coming in 2025
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.
All on site registration (if applicable) will be located at the LI Retro Info / Merch Booth.
Cosplay Fashion Show - Friday August 9th, 7:30 PM
Want to strut your stuff on the cosplay runway but don’t want to compete? Join LI Retro’s 2nd 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 can apply online prior to the con, or at the Info Booth in person on Friday, August 9th.
- 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.
Adults Cosplay Contest - Saturday August 10th, 3:30 PM
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 14+. Anyone 13 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.
- 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, if you are asked a question, keep your answers short and sweet. No profanity when you speak.
Kids Cosplay Contest - Sunday, August 11th, 12:30 PM
1st Place: $75
2nd Place: $50
3rd Place: $25
- You can enter the Cosplay Contest in person; there is no online registration. Anyone 13 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.
- Prizes will be in the form of currency that can be spent at the LI Retro Marketplace.
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 2024 events and contests coming soon.
Adults Cosplay Contest - Saturday August 10th, 3:30 PM
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 14+. Anyone 13 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.
- 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, if you are asked a question, keep your answers short and sweet. No profanity when you speak.
Your 2024 Cosplay Judges
Horror Queen Cosplay (Cassidy)
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).
Cozy Monkey Cosplay (Rosie)
Cozymonkeycosplay has been cosplaying since about 2013 and has been going to cons since she was a little kid. She's really into anime and manga, mostly older '90s series which is what she mostly cosplays. She's spent the last few years really focusing on learning patterning and sewing.
*Photo credit: http://instagram.com/ghostgirlproductions
Stardust Megu (Megu)
Stardust Megu is a Black, Plus Sized & Lesbian cosplayer from NYC, and has been cosplaying for over 14 years. Megu has made over 100 cosplays, and specializes in needlework, armor, and props. She competes at cosplay contests, won numerous awards and also judged at some contests. Along with posting her cosplay progress and craftsmanship tips, Megu also uses her platform to push for diversity, and especially in the crafting and competition side of cosplay. She believes that anyone regardless of race, body size, genders, etc. can be a crafter!