Cosplay Raffle and Parade Guidelines

Cosplay Raffle Rules

  • Open to anyone who arrives in cosplay.

  • Raffle tickets will be handed out at the door, limit one per person

  • There will be a separate raffle drawing each day of the event.

  • You do not need to participate in the Cosplay Parade to enter the raffle.

  • Prizes will be awarded randomly by drawing tickets, there no judges will be involved.

  • Winning ticket numbers will be announced over the loudspeaker during the event.

  • You must be present with your winning ticket to claim a prize.

  • 👉 See below for cosplay rules and guidelines on what is allowed.

General Information for Cosplay Parade

  • Open to all ages! Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult (18+).

  • Anyone who wishes to participate should gather at the Minecraft Build Area on Saturday, November 1. (Exact time to be announced.)

  • Participation in the parade is optional and separate from the raffle.

  • 👉 See below for cosplay rules and guidelines on what is allowed.

 

Rules for Apparel
  • Shoes are required at all times while in the public areas of the convention center. Even if a cosplay character goes barefoot, the cosplayer must wear shoes.
  • Costumes and apparel shall not expose the body in such a way as to be deemed indecent exposure or Public Nudity under Nebraska law, City of Lincoln ordinances, and Sandhills Global Event Center policies. Please refer to City Municipal Code 9.16.230: It shall be unlawful for a person to, knowingly or intentionally, in a public place or in any place open to the public, appear in a state of nudity. ‘Nudity’ means the showing of the human male or female genitals or pubic area with less than a fully opaque covering, the showing of the female breast with less than a fully opaque covering on any part of the areola and nipple, or the showing of covered male genitals in a discernibly turgid state.
  • Private parts must be covered in an opaque material not subject to slippage or gaps. Liquid Latex or other body coatings that conform to the body will be judged on a case by case basis.  If an outfit covers less area than a bikini top, the attendee wearing it must use some form of adhesive to ensure it stays on, such as fashion tape or spirit gum. If a costume is tight or form-fitting enough to clearly show an outline of genitalia, a dance belt or other form of concealment must be worn. These will not be provided by the convention.
  • Lincoln Nerd Fest has no tolerance of violence, racism, or bigotry or shaming of any kind visually or verbally.
  • All costumes worn within the convention center must fit through a standard doorway (36 inches). Any attendee wearing a bulky costume, or one with poor visibility, should have a handler available to escort them. In addition, please ensure any bulky costume is properly ventilated to prevent heat stroke.
  • No costumes may be realistic depictions of U.S. Law Enforcement or any other official U.S. Government Agency or Emergency Services.
  • Any clothing displaying “Ahegao” or other sexually explicit imagery is not to be worn. All graphics or imagery must be “Rated PG-13” in nature.
  • A member of Lincoln Nerd Fest Leadership may deem a costume or clothing inappropriate even if it meets the requirements mentioned above.

Rules for Signs
  • Contents and images of the sign must be of a “Rated PG – 13” nature which is suitable to be seen by children as there will be children at the convention, and the message of the sign cannot be selling or trading.
  • Signs must not represent an obstruction to foot traffic and must be able to move through high traffic areas without disruption.
  • Signs must not be affixed to any surfaces.
  • Lincoln Nerd Fest reserves the right to remove any sign at any time.

Prop Rules and Guidelines
  • If it is illegal in the City of Lincoln, Nebraska and the United States, it is illegal on convention grounds.
  • Attendees will not play-fight, brandish, run with, or use their prop in any kind of threatening manner. Posing for photos/videos is allowed, but should be done outside of high-traffic areas or outside of the event center.
  • Live steel is NOT allowed on convention grounds, save for any merchandise purchased on convention grounds, which must not be removed from packaging and must be moved to a personal vehicle or other location as soon as possible. Live steel is defined by Lincoln Nerd Fest as any metal object that can hold a sharp edge, whether or not it actually does. This does NOT extend to things such as armor or other garments, though exceptions will be made for anything with a sufficient point.
  • Nerf guns, Air-soft, BB or any other realistic firearm must have a non-removable orange safety tip, empty of ammo and will be disabled with the trigger zip-tied.
  • Foam bullets or any other ammo will not be allowed. Case-by-case exceptions for obvious fake ammo permanently attached to clothing may be made at staff’s discretion.
  • No firearms or any kind of live projectile weapon are allowed.
  • Props that make realistic sounds, such as gunfire or explosions, will not be allowed without the sound disabled.  No costume or prop may generate odor, smoke, bubbles, or fog.
  • Props with flashing lights must be able to disable those lights upon any reasonable request.
  • Remote controlled toys, drones, and other similar devices are not allowed without special permission from convention leadership.
  • Speakers and other playback devices must be kept to a reasonable volume. This usually means “a conversation can be held nearby without issue”, however staff may still request the volume be lowered or the device turned off.
  • Roller skates, skateboards, hoverboards, and all other recreational personal transportation are not to be used on the convention floor except as a prop. Use as transportation may result in temporary confiscation, to be held at the entrance check-in desk until their owner can remove them from the convention center. Medical mobility aids are excepted from this rule.
  • If staff deems a prop dangerous or harmful it will not be allowed regardless of whether it conforms to these rules. This will be decided on a case by case basis.
  • Exceptions to these rules may be made for the cosplay contest or other events, on a case by case basis.

Consequences for Violations
  • First offense is a single warning to either correct or discontinue improper behavior.
  • The second offense is a full suspension of prop privileges. Confiscated props are to be held at the entrance check-in desk until such a time as their owner is able to remove them from the premises.
  • A Third and final offense will result in a meeting with the Nerd Fest Leadership, to discuss removal from the convention and revocation of badge privileges.
  • We reserve the right to modify or escalate the consequences at our discretion, based on individual circumstances.