Fourth Annual Cosplay Contest

You are invited to compete in our 2026 Cosplay Contest, part of the Fifth Annual Comic Book Fest, presented by Hero Shack Press and the Athol Public Library!

Register in the Athol Town Hall on Saturday, October 17 any time between 10:00 am and 12:45 pm.

Cosplay Contest Rules and Guidelines 2026

Categories:

• Best in Show
• Creativity
• Craftsmanship
• Accuracy
• Best Presentation/Performance

Prizes:

• First Place (to be awarded in each category) $20
• Second Place (to be awarded in each category) $10

Winners will be determined by our panel of Comic Book Fest judges.

• Each contestant may only enter one costume into the competition.
• Preference given to cosplays and costumes that are homemade.
• Nudity, obscene or graphic content, or other elements deemed inappropriate to the spirit of the competition will disqualify contestants.
• Professional costumers, or those who run a business of commission-based cosplay, are encouraged to show off their costumes at the Comic Book Fest but should not enter the competition.
• Contestants will be judged according to their costume’s resemblance to the character it is based on, representation of their costume, craftsmanship skills, creativity, and presentation to the audience.
• Check in at the Comic Book Fest entry table in the Athol Town Hall between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. on Saturday, October 17, 2026.
  • Sign up with age, name, character title, franchise
  • We will take your picture
  • Registration is free
  • During the contest, you will be asked to walk across the stage one at a time, pausing in the center to strike a pose for the audience.  The MC will ask you one or two questions about your character and/or costume

Then, all will parade around hall so everyone can see your great work!

Judges will deliberate

All contestants will be assembled on stage for group photo

Emcee will announce winners

Winners will be brought up on stage for another photo