2025 Judges. 2026 judges to come!

Katie Colleen as a Cosplay Judge at Fan Fest Northwest, a Yakima Comic Con

two cosplay events

1. COSPLAY PARADE

* * *
Great for youth and casual cosplayers!
Parade your cosplay across the stage with the other attendees. Strut your stuff!

NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED.
Location: Yakima Convention Center
(Time TBA)

NON-JUDGED – NO PRIZES – FREE

2. MAIN stage COSPLAY event

* * *
Details TBA

REGISTRATION REQUIRED (form below).
Location: Yakima Convention Center
(Time TBA)

JUDGED – PRIZES – FREE

ALL Cosplay Events are FREE to enter. HOWEVER, the Cosplay Parade and Main Stage Cosplay Event require General Admission to enter. For questions on the Cosplay Contests, contact us at development@rodshouse.org

REGISTER FOR THE main cosplay contest!

Main Contest runs from (TBA).
Registration is required. Once deadline passes, we cannot take more contestants.
Registration deadline is (TBA).
PRIZES: (TBA).

Cosplay Contest Registration

Step 1 of 2

Who is filling out this form?

I am filling out this form for myself.
I am the cosplay creator, filling out this form for someone else to model my cosplay (ex: youth).

Contestant Name:

First

Last

Contestant Age:

Creator Email:

Creator Phone:

COSPLAY CHARACTER:

This is the fun part! Who are you representing?

COSPLAY CHARACTER SERIES/FRANCHISE:

What series or franchise is your character from? Examples: DC, Marvel, Anime Series, Video Game Series.

CONTEST CATEGORY:

Novice - This is my first event!
Intermediate - I've done at least one event.
Expert - I'm a cosplay professional or have been in many contests.

Please choose the category that best fits your experience in cosplay contest participation. You can choose whichever category suits your experience best. We encourage first-timers to enter the Novice category, but if you have a rockin' costume with great craftmanship and you want to compete higher, please feel free to do so!

NAME ANNOUNCEMENT: How would you like to be announced?

This can be your name, nickname, cosplay character name, whatever suites you!

DESCRIPTION ANNOUNCEMENT: One sentence description for the MC to announce with your cosplay.

Describe for us in one sentence what you’re most proud of about your costume or what you like the most about it.

I agree to the cosplay and event Terms and Conditions.

Yes.

Basic policies are to be respectful of others and careful with weapon props. For details, please read the Code of Conduct at the bottom of this page.

sentence to videos

I understand that a General Admission Ticket is required to enter.

Yes.

The ticket purchase it not required prior to registering for the competition, but you will need to purchase General Admission to enter the event when the time comes.

I give permission to Fan Fest Northwest to use photos and/or videos of me and my cosplay for promotional purposes, including social media.

Yes.

Checking the box indicates that you understand this is a public event space where photos and videos will be taken by us and the attendees and we cannot control where media is posted. Fan Fest Northwest promises to utilize media in the most flattering manner possible by our staff. Fan Fest Northwest is ran by Rod's House, a nonprofit, therefore some media may also be utilized on the Rod's House platforms. If you are a concerned parent and would like to opt your child out of media on our accounts (remember, we cannot control where media goes anywhere else), click "Yes." for now and then please reach out to Samantha.Armijo@rodshouse.org. Please have a photo ready of your child in cosplay, as this will help us maintain their privacy later.

Terms and Conditions

Respect & Safety at Fan Fest Northwest

Let’s make Fan Fest a welcoming and enjoyable experience for everyone!

Fan Fest Northwest is a place for fun, creativity, and respect. Please be kind, courteous, and mindful of others and their property. Harassment or offensive behavior will not be tolerated.

If you feel unsafe or see someone violating this policy, please alert security or staff immediately so we can help. Violations may result in badge revocation without refund.

Rules:

Contestants can only compete in one category of the main contest. Entries must be solo. No groups.
Contestants may join all three cosplay events – the parade, main contest, and people’s choice.
This is a family-friendly event, so no nudity or profanity is allowed, nor are obscene or vulgar acts, gestures, or comments.
No discrimination, racism, or hate speech of any kind is allowed. No political or religious statements via costume or commentary will be permitted.
Race and cultural identities are not costumes. Contestants may use body paint, makeup, or other creative techniques to portray a characters (for example, painting yourself blue or green for a character). However, blackface or any attempt to change your skin tone to represent another race or ethnicity is strictly prohibited.
All weapons and props must adhere to the Costume Props Policy.
Costumes must be self-contained and not need any external support (e.g. electricity).
Contestants must be in costume by the time they are on stage. No assembling during the stage time.
Contest cannot accommodate requests for personalization (eg. themed music).
Please refrain from surprising the judges with an alarming skit (eg. falling, sudden battle, launching projectiles).
While we understand that parts may fall or leave behind glitter, please no deliberate littering of the stage. (eg. throwing glitter, confetti, spraying water)
If the cosplay was made by someone other than the entrant, the maker will receive the prize. 
Costumes must not defame, misrepresent or contain disparaging remarks about other events, organizations, or people.
Costumes cannot depict, and cannot themselves, be in violation of any law.
The judge’s decisions are final and are not up for negotiation.
Good sportsmanship is required.

Deadline to register is (TBA)
We cannot accept late contestants.

Costume Props Policy

Fan Fest Northwest Props Policy

All costume props must be inspected at the Fan Fest Props Desk.

Approval & Tagging
After inspection, approved props will be tagged. Tags must remain visible throughout the event. Untagged props will be directed to a Costume Props Desk for inspection.

Prop Guidelines

All cosplay must follow the Fan Fest Code of Conduct.
No functional or sharp-edged props or weapons.
Props must comply with state and federal law.
Replica projectile props must be rendered inoperable and have bright-colored caps.
Functional arrows must have tips removed and be zip-tied to a quiver.
Some props may need to be secured to your costume.
Stilted costumes require approval.
Realistic first responder/security cosplay is prohibited.
Oversized costumes may be restricted in crowded areas.

Policies may change, so check this page before the event for updates.

Contest Criteria & Prizes

While there is no “rubric”, criteria typically includes craftsmanship, complexity, stage performance, character accuracy, and more. There will be categories:

Novice: For people who have never competed.
Intermediate: For people who have some experience competing.
Expert: For experienced cosplay competitors.

It’s up to the entrant’s discretion where you want to be judged. Please consider your experience, how much of your costume is handmade, and your craftmanship.

Winning Prizes: May be subect to change.

Novice: Gift basket.
Intermediate: $50
Expert: $100

PUBLIC RESOURCES

Home

Donate

Rod's House Services

FOLLOW US

CONTACT

32 N. 3rd St., Ste 235
Yakima, WA 98901

contact@fanfestnw.com

(509)-895-2665