The Masquerade is a costume showcase and display of creativity by your fellow convention members. Entrants may dress as anything interesting and fun so long as they can motor themselves across the stage and back. You'll find a variety of BEMs (Bug Eyed Monsters), Transformers, faeries, royals, dragons, cosplayers (anime-inspired costumes), movie and TV characters, and just plain silly people in costume. This is a judged event and is a highlight of Arisia. If you're not part of the show, come cheer on your fellow fen. All entries are judged in one of four separate categories (Young Fan, Novice, Journeyman, and Master/Craftsman) to give everyone a fair chance.
Masquerade Rules
Please read all the Masquerade Rules before signing up.
Arisia uses the skill division set up by the International Costumers' Guild. If you are unsure what division you should compete in, please read the Skills Division section of the Masquerade Rules. Please contact the Masquerade Director (@email) with any questions.
Halftime Entertainment
After the costume presentations are done, and while our esteemed judges are off determining the awards for the evening, our entrants are given the option to participate in the Tactile Masquerade in the hallway, which allows attendees to get an up close view of the costumes. Inside the ballroom our halftime acts will entertain you until the judges return for the awards presentation.
We will announce the halftime acts here once they have been selected.
Arisia 2020 Masquerade Winners
Young Fan
WorkmanshipBest Armor MakingPresentation"She-Ra" by Susan, Terran & Autumn LaneBest Needlework"Winter Schnee"Most Regal"Winter Schnee"Best Embodiment of Light"She-Ra" by Susan, Terran, & Autumn Lane
Novice Division
WorkmanshipHonorable Mention | Prop Engineering"Alice the Immortal" by Allison BennettBest Technical Design"Porg" by Emmett WaldBest Armor & Prop Making"Loki" by Jos Terry-WelshBest Hand Stitching"Lord Percival Fredrickstein von Musel Klossowski de Rollo III" by Locomania22Best in Class"Lara Croft, Wraith Skin from Rise of the Tomb Raider" by Katie Pereira
PresentationA Lame Honorable Mention"The Laziest san Possible" by Zachary SteinbergA Funnie Honorable Mention"Judy Funnie" by Justin KelleyBest Re-Creation"Loki" by Jos Terry-Welsh
Best Presentation"Alice the Immortal" by Allison BennettBest Original"Lord Percival Fredrickstein von Musel Klossowski de Rollo III" by Locomania22Best in Class"Lara Croft, Wraith Skin from Rise of the Tomb Raider" by Katie Pereira
Journeyman Division
WorkmanshipBest Technical SewingPresentation"Pollution Fish" by Meg (Hassan Cosplay Photography)Best Articulated Electronic Work"Raiden and Sam" by VulpireCosplay and MatrixVampyreBest Wig Styling"Tomoyo-hime" by Theresa PereiraBest Journeyman"Ice Prince Victor Nikiforov - Yuri on Ice" by Sarah Anderson-Krim makeupmermaidcosplayHonorable Mention | Embodying the Character"Link" by Aliya KaynakBest Integration of Combat and Movement"Raiden and Sam" by VulpireCosplay and MatrixVampyreBest Re-creation"Tomoyo-hime" by Theresa PereiraBest in Class"Ice Prince Victor Nikiforov - Yuri on Ice" by Sarah Anderson-Krim makeupmermaidcosplay
Masters Division
Workmanship
Best Use of Unconventional Materials"The Doctor Will See You Now" by Anastasia Holt, Lisa Ashton, Leslie Johnston, Ainsley Croteau, Carol Croteau, William Kennedy, Jackie Ferro and Seamus Fitzpatrick RysBest Historical Re-creation"Gentleman Jack" by Wonder Wendy Farrell
PresentationHonorable Mention for Walking"Walking Home" by Elaine IsaakBest in Class"The Doctor Will See You Now" by Anastasia Holt, Lisa Ashton, Leslie Johnston, Ainsley Croteau, Carol Croteau, William Kennedy, Jackie Ferro and Seamus Fitzpatrick Rys
Best in Show
Workmanship"Padme's Picnic Dress" by Sewpoke CosplayPresentation"Gentleman Jack" by Arisia Huff, Kat Peasley Farrell, Stacey Allen Farrell, Tracy Farrell, Wonder Wendy Farrel